Abstract: Continuous combustion heat engine including a compressor (12), combustor (14) and expander (16) which operates on a Brayton cycle with positive displacement pistons (90) in the compressor and variable expansion ratio pistons (190) in the expander. Compressor (12) delivers compressed air to the combustor (14) where it is mixed with fuel and combusted to produce expansion gases for the expander (16). Power input to the compressor and power output from the expander are achieved through the radially disposed pistons (90,190), connecting rods (94), cranks (98), crank shafts (100), planetary gears (104), sun gears (106) and sun gear connectors (114) which rotatably secure the sun gears (106) and manifolds (110,166) together. The pistons (190) for the expander have positive displacement sections (192) and free floating sections (200) for the variable volume ratio capability.

Abstract: Injection of atomized coal slurry fuel into an engine combustion chamber is achieved at relatively low pressures by means of a vortex swirl nozzle. The outlet opening of the vortex nozzle is considerably larger than conventional nozzle outlets, thereby eliminating major sources of failure due to clogging by contaminants in the fuel. Control fluid, such as air, may be used to impart vorticity to the slurry and/or purge the nozzle of contaminants during the times between measured slurry charges. The measured slurry charges may be produced by a diaphragm pump or by vortex valves controlled by a separate control fluid. Fluidic circuitry, employing vortex valves to alternatively block and pass cool slurry fuel flow, is disclosed.

Abstract: A. Power supply comprising an AC to DC power supply and a DC to DC power supply and a DC battery charging circuit within a single device, which device provides continuous DC power to a load regardless of the presence or absence of the AC power source.

Abstract: A detector for a gas analyzer includes a thermal detector, an absorptive film on the surface of said thermal detector, and an enclosure containing a reference gas of the gas species of interest such that the thermal detector is in thermal contact with both the absorptive film and the reference gas. During irradiation, the absorptive film absorbs radiation which passes through the reference gas and causes the thermal detector to generate a corresponding output. When the irradiation is terminated, the heat content of the reference gas, which will be dependent upon the amount of the radiation absorbed, will be communicated to the thermal detector to cause the thermal detector to provide a second output representing the amount of radiation absorbed by the reference gas.

Abstract: A cooling apparatus for an air conditioner or a refrigeration system for reducing the cost of operation and maintenance without utilizing electricity, without the need of a supply of fluid that is specially pressurized and without the deposition of nonevaporative components of the fluid. The air conditioner or refrigeration system has an air cooled coil and means for producing a current of air for cooling the coil.

Abstract: A system for predicting ventricular tachycardia from electrocardiograph input waveforms. A high pass filter provides an output responsive to the input waveforms. A time derivative of the filter output is generated to produce waveforms which can be compared to a standard. In one embodiment, the input waveforms are digitized prior to processing by the filter means. In another embodiment, digitized input waveforms are signal averaged prior to processing by the filter. The filter can be a finite impulse response filter of an infinite impulse response filter. In an alternate embodiment, a ventricular tachycardia prediction system for use with ECG waveforms having cyclical characteristics is disclosed. The ECG waveforms are periodically sampled during each of a plurality ECG cycles. A filter unidirectionally filters the signals for each ECG cycle so as to provide a filter output systematically related to the high frequency content of the input. A reference signal is provided for ventricular tachycardia prediction.

Abstract: A process for purifying hydrocarbonaceous oils containing heteroatom sulfur and heteroatom nitrogen compound impurities comprising the steps of:(1) reacting said hydrocarbonaceous oil with an oxidizing gas containing at least one nitrogen oxide with more than one oxygen atom for each nitrogen atom while maintaining(a) the molar ratio of the nitrogen oxide to the total of the sulfur heteroatom content and the nitrogen heteroatom content to about 1.5:1 or less,(b) the reaction time to about one hour or less,(c) the temperature to about 100.degree. C.

Abstract: A ventricular tachycardia (VT) prediction system for use with an ECG input having cyclical characteristics. The ECG input is periodically sampled during each of a plurality of ECG cycles, and signals representative of the ECG input for each corresponding sample time are stored. A high pass filter adaptively filters the signals for each ECG cycle, so as to provide a filter output systematically related to the high frequency content of the ECG input. The adaptive filter produces segments which are uninfluenced by other samples so as to negate ringing. A reference signal is provided for VT prediction. The filter output is compared to the reference signal, and the prediction of ventricular tachycardia is indicated responsive to the comparison. In one embodiment the samples are averaged for a plurality of ECG cycles prior to generating the filter output. In another embodiment, the system determines the duration of the QRS portion of the ECG cycles prior to generating the filter output.

Abstract: A system for predicting ventricular tachycardia from electrocardiograph input waveforms. A first means generates a signal representative of the input waveforms exceeding a preselected level. A second filter means has its gain controlled responsive to the first means output signal, and provides an output responsive to said input waveforms. Ventricular tachycardia is then predicted responsive to the second filter means output. In one embodiment, the input waveforms are digitized prior to processing by the first and second means. In another embodiment, the input waveforms are signal averaged prior to processing by the first and second means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a dual-frequency gas laser so as to controllably switch between frequencies makes use of a cavity so tuned that the comb of resonant frequencies is not commensurate with the frequency difference between the laser operating frequencies, and, in a preferred embodiment, with one of the resonant frequencies tuned to coincide with one of the operating frequencies. The cavity length and overall gain at each frequency are so selected that the spacing between resonant frequencies is greater than the breadth above unity gain of the individual peaks of the gain vs. frequency curve. The active material is subjected to a magnetic field which may be varied in a controlled manner. In a preferred embodiment, this field is applied normal to the optical axis of the resonant cavity, and an optical element within the cavity is arranged to act as a plane polarizer with its plane of polarization normal to the magnetic field.

Abstract: Constant volume, continuous external combustion rotary engine which incorporates at least one radial piston compressor, at least one continuous-combustion chamber, at least one radial piston expander together with a means to supply fuel to the combustion chamber. A novel arrangement of compressor and expander manifolding controls admission and discharge to and from the compressor and expander sections. Power output is realized when opposed expander pistons equipped with roller bearings react directly on the internal cam lobe surfaces of a stationary housing causing the cylinder block to rotate and drive the compressor piston inwardly or outwardly as their roller followers engage their cam tracks. As a fresh charge of compressed air is delivered to the hydrocarbon fueled combustion chamber, an equal amount of combustion product under almost equal pressure is withdrawn by the expander. When combustion charging is completed, both compressor and expander are momentarily disconnected from the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A film flaw detection system has capacitive sensing members for sensing capacitance changes in correspondence with irregular film variations. The sensing members take two forms. One form senses variation in film thickness by using the film as a dielectric between two plates of the capacitor. Changes in film thickness result in changes in the dielectric and hence in the capacitance. The other form consists of feelers which ride along the surface of the film and which move transversely to the film movement in response to flaws in the film. Each feeler forms a plate of a capacitance, and movement of the feeler changes the distance between this plate and an associated fixed plate which results in a capacitance change. The detecting circuit comprises a phase detection system for measuring phase changes in a high frequency signal. These phase changes correspond to capacitance changes caused by flaws in the film and sensed by either of the two forms of sensing means.

Abstract: A film detector system is provided for detecting film splices or other surface abnormalities longer than a desired length. A film support member is provided over which a strip of film travels which is to be analyzed. First and second light beams are projected parallel with the film surface across the film such that thickness increases due to surface abnormalities on the film intercept portions of the light beam. As a result a shadow is cast on first and second light detectors. The first and second light beams are spaced from one another such that when a film splice or other abnormality intercepts one of the light beams, the other light beam is not simultaneously intercepted if the film splice or abnormality is of normal length but will be intercepted simultaneously if the film splice is of abnormal length. Outputs from the first and second light detectors are compared and the film travel is stopped when the signal is simultaneously received from each of the light detectors.

Abstract: An apparatus for ultra-sonically cleaning any information bearing material, web, sheet, fiche, film or similar strip material is operable in two modes. The first mode is directed to cleaning the film, and employs a pair of air nozzles for nonevaporatively stripping cleaning solvent from the surface of the film, after the film has been immersed in the solvent. The action of the air nozzles creates a mist of solvent about the nozzles, which is condensed by a plurality of cooling coils and collected, and circulates same through a purification system and returns the solvent to the cleaning tank for subsequent reuse in the film cleaning mode of operation. The air emerging from the nozzles is returned to the air compressor, thereby forming a closed loop compressor system which minimizes escape of solvent vapors into the atmosphere.

Abstract: Diesel fuel injection system in which a standing high-pressure wave is maintained in the common rail and which utilizes injectors which function as gates or valves. Electronic controls sensitive to engine demands based on speed and load electronically control the injectors to vary both moment and duration of fuel injection time. Input signals, as determined by engine speed by way of the distributor, vary the injection timing according to an advance curve at the distributor correlated to piston position. Duration of the injection cycle (quantity of fuel injected) is controlled electronically and variably in relation to throttle position.

Abstract: A moisture stripping device for non-evaporatively stripping moisture from a moving film such as a photographic motion picture film. The film is cleaned in a liquid bath which has ultrasonic energy applied thereto. The film leaves the bath and passes through an air nozzle which is supplied with a source of air pressure. The air nozzle consists of a split block having a film slot extending through the block. A plurality of air jets are conducted into the slot at opposite sides thereof. The film, wet with cleaning solution, enters the slot and is non-evaporatively dried by air pressure which forms a moisture barrier at the lower edge of the slot. The slot is only slightly wider than the thickness of the film, yet the film is protected from touching the sides of the slot by an air cushion formed by air jets directed at both sides of the film. The air jets are formed by a plurality of air holes in the split block. The holes conduct air from the air source to the film slot.

Abstract: A hydraulically operated fuel injector for compression-ignition engines which includes an electronically or pneumatically operated hydraulic pilot-control valve which is supplied with fuel under substantially constant pressure from a pump driven directly or indirectly by the engine. The pilot-control valve is connected by supply and exhaust passages to a slave valve which in turn controls the admission of fuel to a charging cavity located adjacent to an outlet valve to the combustion chamber. The slave valve is a stepped diameter piston which functions as a pressure amplifier for the fuel supply to the combustion chamber. Fuel from the pump which is received at relatively low pressure through the slave valve is amplified to high pressures sufficient to overcome compression and combustion pressures of the engine and the resistance of spring seated injector outlets and/or the fuel supply orifice(s).

Abstract: A film thickness detector system has first and second thickness detector positions. The first position includes a light source for projecting a light beam to a light detector. A guide roller positions a film strip such that the light beam is tangent to a portion of the film strip supported by the guide roller. The film strip lies between the light source and light detector and the light beam is intercepted by a portion of the film strip at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the film strip. As the thickness of the film strip intercepting a portion of the light beam varies, the output from the light detector varies in a corresponding manner. The output is amplified and may be used for stopping motion of the film. The second thickness detector position also has a light source and at least one light detector positioned to receive a light beam from the light source.

Abstract: An ultrasonic liquid film cleaning device having means for moving a film strip at high speeds between a pair of oppositely moving cleaning strips. The cleaning strips and the film are positioned for movement between a pair of beds which act as guides and compression surfaces for the sandwiched assembly of cleaning strips and film. Cleaning fluid is piped to the bed to wet the cleaning strips and thereby assist in the cleaning action. An ultrasonic device is mounted in each bed to activate the fluid which is absorbed by the cleaning strips. This activation of the fluid increases the cleaning power of the strips as they pass against the film.

Abstract: A method of making a light equalizer comprises the steps of selecting a powdered crystalline material capable of being compressed to form a body transparent to selective wavelengths of light. The material is compressed to a point short of complete transparency so as to provide a plurality of light scattering centers throughout the bulk of the body. A stack of the bodies are formed in which the bodies are disposed along a common axis. The exterior surfaces of the stack thus formed are covered with an internally reflective coating except for two opposite ends thereof, so that light of selected wavelengths transmitted through the stack will be substantially uniformly distributed at the output of the stack.