Abstract: The present invention provides heat exchanger systems, and associated methods, using thermally anisotropic carbon fiber materials, preferably woven graphite fiber sheets, where convection is used to transfer heat from the heat exchanger to a lower temperature fluid, such as circulating air or cooling liquid.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method of using lean fuel-air mixtures at all operating regimes of a spark ignition engine, which is provided with an intake port fuel injection system, wherein said method is characterized in that in order to achieve the efficient lean mixture combustion process, an HHO oxy-hydric gas direct injection should be at a minimum pressure of 10 bar, during compression stroke, after intake valve closing, so that the hydrogen/fuel mixture volumetric fractions value is within the range of about 15% to 25%.

Abstract: An electrolyzer with principal and supplemental electrodes configured and made from materials, which decomposes distilled water into a highly efficient clean burning fuel composed of hydrogen, oxygen and their bonds, called HHO or hydrogen-enriched gas that can be used as an additive to combustion engine fuels or in flame or other generating equipment such as torches and welders.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an electrolyzer for electrolyzing water into a gaseous mixture comprising hydrogen gas and oxygen gas. The electrolyzer is adapted to deliver this gaseous mixture to the fuel system of an internal combustion engine. The electrolyzer of the present invention comprises one or more supplemental electrode at least partially immersed in an aqueous electrolyte solution interposed between two principle electrodes. The gaseous mixture is generated by applying an electrical potential between the two principal electrodes. The electrolyzer further includes a gas reservoir region for collecting the generated gaseous mixture. The present invention further discloses a method of utilizing the electrolyzer in conjunction with the fuel system of an internal combustion engine to improve the efficiency of said internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A downhole jet pump wherein pressurized gas from an outside portion of a string of tubing is directed through a nozzle having a venturi which causes fluids to be sucked from an outside portion of the string of tubing and ejected through an inside portion of the sting of tubing.

Abstract: A pontoon provides buoyancy for a protection barrier to be provided in a body of water. The pontoon includes a metal structural member; a urethane inner shell that encases a portion of the metal structural member; a polyethylene region that encases the urethane inner shell; and a polyurethane elastomer or polyurea outer shell that encases the polyethylene region. A portion of the metal structural member extends out from the outer shell to thereby couple to a portion of the protection barrier.

Abstract: A protection apparatus protects a harbor or an area in a body of water or adjacent to a body of water. The protection apparatus floats on the body of water, and includes a plurality of barrier units positioned side-by-side, each of the barrier units includes a composite-based durable barrier structure. The barrier structure is configured to hold a net in place in order to protect an area in the body of water or abutting the body of water from waterborne craft. The protection apparatus also includes connectors respectively provided between adjacently-positioned ones of the barrier units. Each of the connectors includes a tensile member and a dampening member for handling forces applied to the protection barrier and for maintaining the integrity of the protection barrier.

Abstract: A new insulation system is provided that contains microspheres. This insulation system can be used to provide insulated panels and clamshells, and to insulate annular spaces around objects used to transfer, store, or transport cryogens and other temperature-sensitive materials. This insulation system provides better performance with reduced maintenance than current insulation systems.

Abstract: The invention is a coolant system for a rocket engine. The rocket engine includes an injector, a fuel supply, an oxidizer supply, a pump for feeding fuel from the fuel supply to the injector, a pump for feeding oxidizer from the oxidizer supply to the injector, a combustor, and a nozzle, the combustor and nozzle forming a combustor and nozzle assembly. The coolant system includes a cooling jacket surrounding the combustor and nozzle assembly. A coolant fluid is supplied to the combustor jacket by a coolant pump that circulates the coolant fluid through the jacket. The coolant fluid vaporizes to cool the combustor and nozzle assembly. A turbine is operatively connected to the coolant pump and is driven by the vaporized coolant from the jacket. A heat exchanger transfers heat from the vaporized fluid to fuel or oxidizer from the supply thereof prior to the feeding of the fuel or oxidizer into the injector.

Abstract: A method and computer software immersive interface for networked computers that utilize a pointing device (mouse, trackball, touchscreen, tablet, etc) and are connected by networks which allows intuitive and rapid navigation and access to programs, data, and any digital media such as images, pictures, photographs, audio, video, and models through a robust-feedback, highly interactive multimedia interface that is designed to appear and sound like a pseudo-physical virtual or real-life scene which is self-explaining and easily recognizable to the user. Interaction Elements within this scene take advantage of a pre-existing connotation to the user so that the functionality of each element can be quickly and easily recognized and manipulated. These Interaction Elements within the scene have multiple states, depending upon user input, and provide three types of robust multimedia functionality feedback to the user in response to every pertinent user activity.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a miniature thermodynamic device that can be constructed using standard micro-fabrication techniques. The device can be used to provide cooling, generate power, compress gases, pump fluids and reduce pressure below ambient (operate as a vacuum pump). Embodiments of the invention relating to the production of a cooling effect and the generation of electrical power, change the thermodynamic state of the system by extracting energy from a pressurized fluid. Energy extraction is attained using an expansion process, which is as nearly isentropic as possible for the appropriately chosen fluid. An isentropic expansion occurs when a compressed gas does work to expand, and in the disclosed embodiments, the gas does work by overcoming either an electrostatic or a magnetic force.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a miniature thermodynamic device that can be constructed using standard micro-fabrication techniques. The device can be used to provide cooling, generate power, compress gases, pump fluids and reduce pressure below ambient (operate as a vacuum pump). Embodiments of the invention relating to the production of a cooling effect and the generation of electrical power, change the thermodynamic state of the system by extracting energy from a pressurized fluid. Energy extraction is attained using an expansion process, which is as nearly isentropic as possible for the appropriately chosen fluid. An isentropic expansion occurs when a compressed gas does work to expand, and in the disclosed embodiments, the gas does work by overcoming either an electrostatic or a magnetic force.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a miniature thermodynamic device that can be constructed using standard micro-fabrication techniques. The device can be used to provide cooling, generate power, compress gases, pump fluids and reduce pressure below ambient (operate as a vacuum pump). Embodiments of the invention relating to the production of a cooling effect and the generation of electrical power, change the thermodynamic state of the system by extracting energy from a pressurized fluid. Energy extraction is attained using an expansion process, which is as nearly isentropic as possible for the appropriately chosen fluid. An isentropic expansion occurs when a compressed gas does work to expand, and in the disclosed embodiments, the gas does work by overcoming either an electrostatic or a magnetic force.

Abstract: An ultrahigh molecular weight polymer, such as ultrahigh molecular weight polyisobutylene, is used as an additive to enhance the coating properties of a solvent. The polyisobutylene has a molecular weight of at least 2.5-3.0 million daltons, preferably greater than about 6 daltons, and is provided in a preferred concentration of 0.05 to 0.3%. The solvent can be a medicinal grade mineral oil. Other suitable solvents include hydrocarbon oil and low viscosity, synthetic compositions. In all cases, the coating properties of the solvent are greatly enhanced by the addition of ultrahigh molecular weight polyisobutylene. In another aspect of the invention, ultrahigh molecular weight polyisobutylene is used as an additive to enhance the viscoelasticity of a mineral oil based sunscreen formulation. In still another aspect of the invention, the fibers of a fabric material are coated with an ultrahigh molecular weight polymer to greatly strengthen the fabric.

Abstract: A bioreactor for reacting an aqueous heavy metal and sulfate containing mine drainage solution with sulfate reducing bacteria to produce heavy metal sulfides and reduce the sulfuric acid content of the solution. The reactor is an elongated, horizontal trough defining an inlet section and a reaction section. An inlet manifold adjacent the inlet section distributes aqueous mine drainage solution into the inlet section for flow through the inlet section and reaction section. A sulfate reducing bacteria and bacteria nutrient composition in the inlet section provides sulfate reducing bacteria that with the sulfuric acid and heavy metals in the solution to form solid metal sulfides. The sulfate reducing bacteria and bacteria nutrient composition is retained in the cells of a honeycomb structure formed of cellular honeycomb panels mounted in the reactor inlet section. The honeycomb panels extend upwardly in the inlet section at an acute angle with respect to the horizontal.

Abstract: A permeable wall for the in situ treatment of groundwater flowing therethrough is formed by a plurality of hexagonal cells removably placed in a frame in watertight relation to the frame and each other. The frame is mounted in a gate between barriers or pilings in the flow path of the groundwater. Each cell is formed by a hexagonal shell of water impermeable material defining a central chamber opening therethrough and containing a permeable water treatment material. Sealing tongues project from a portion of the shell, and sealing grooves are defined in another portion. The tongues on one cell are received in sealing grooves on an adjacent cell when the cells are mounted in the frame. Removable panels are mounted on the frame to prevent water flow when the cells are being inserted or removed. The same construction can be utilized for other fluid-solid reactors.

Abstract: Removal of Light, non-Aqueous Phase Liquids (LNAPLs) from contaminated soils is expedited by injecting gas into extraction wells. The extraction wells are operated with a vacuum assist which produces a mounding of groundwater around the well. Gas is injected into the groundwater within the extraction well in the form of micro-bubbles. The bubbles rise through the LNAPL and volatilize it. The volatilized LNAPL is drawn to the surface and groundwater is left in the well.

Abstract: A single-stage earth-to-orbit launch vehicle employs a combination of rocket engines and turbojet engines to propel a device into orbit. The vehicle is driven through a unique set of operating conditions of the engines to conserve oxidizer and optimize acceleration. Cooling effects of fuel used by both types of engines is employed to maintain operating temperature of the turbojet engines within limits of lightweight materials. The rocket engines are used during initial acceleration and then permitted to remain deeply throttled or idle until the vehicle reaches a speed of about Mach 6. The rocket engine, with most of its oxidizer intact, is then used to accelerate the vehicle into orbit.

Abstract: A turbojet engine has a capability for propelling an air-borne vehicle over an extremely wide range of operating speeds. A vehicle can be propelled from take-off conditions through speeds in excess of Mach 5. The engine is equipped with a cooling fluid injection system which cools intake air at high operating speeds. Cooling of intake air permits continued turbojet engine operation at speeds which produce stagnation air inlet temperature in excess of those which critical compressor components can tolerate. The inlet air entering the compressor is pre-cooled with injected fluid so that its temperature is reduced below the critical operating temperature limits of the critical compressor components.

Abstract: A method of treating industrial gases to remove contaminants is disclosed. Ions are generated in stream of injectable gas. These ions are propelled through the contaminated gas as it flows through a collection unit. An electric field is applied to the contaminated gas. The field causes the ions to move through the contaminated gases, producing electrical charges on the contaminants. The electrically charged contaminants are then collected at one side of the electric field. The injectable gas is selected to produce ions which will produce reactions with particular contaminants. The process is thus capable of removing particular contaminants. The process does not depend on diffusion as a transport mechanism and is therefore suitable for removing contaminants which exist in very low concentrations.