Abstract: A hydraulic accumulator system alternately stores energy in the form of gas pressure and converts the stored energy into work by gas expansion. The hydraulic accumulator system, by connection to drive wheels of a vehicle, can serve as a hydropneumatic powertrain for the vehicle. High-pressure and low-pressure fluid drive units are operable either in a motor mode or in a pump mode. A plurality of high-pressure liquid vessels and a plurality of low-pressure liquid vessels are connected in parallel between the fluid drive units and a gas reservoir, with the high-pressure fluid drive unit connecting with the high-pressure liquid vessels and the low-pressure fluid drive unit connecting with the low-pressure liquid vessels. A liquid reservoir supplies liquid to the fluid drive units when operating in the pump mode and receives liquid from the fluid drive units operating in a motor mode. A method of operating the system is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A vehicular powertrain with regenerative braking includes a plurality of wheels and a brake pedal which, upon engagement, is activated first into a first zone of operation and then into a second zone of operation. A braking detector detects either a released state or an engaged state for the brake pedal and, if in the engaged state, detects if the pedal is in the first or the second zone of operation. Friction brakes brake a pair of the wheels, responsive to detection of the brake pedal within the second zone of operation. The hydraulic portion of the drivetrain includes an accumulator for storing hydraulic fluid under pressure and a reservoir for storing the hydraulic fluid at a lower pressure. A pump/motor is located in the high pressure line for operation as a motor to drive the drive wheels in a drive mode and for operation as a pump driven by the drive wheels in a braking mode.

Abstract: Engine output speed is controlled for optimum efficiency by adjustment of input speed of a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Where power in excess of that provided by the engine is required, additional power is input to the drivetrain from a fluidic motor driven by fluid pressure stored in an accumulator. In driving conditions where the engine, operating at optimum efficiency, produces power in excess of that demanded by of the vehicle, the fluidic motor is reversed for operation as a pump and excess engine power is utilized to drive the pump and store energy in the accumulator in the form of fluid pressure. A CPU determines power output required of the engine as a sum of that indicated by a sensor which senses power demanded of the vehicle by a driver and an increment of power required to maintain the pressure of the accumulator above a threshold amount.

Abstract: Low temperature apparatus for the destruction of low volume time varying organic air toxins in air streams utilizing non-catalytic glass beads in parallel conduits heated by hot gas flow around the conduits and flowing the air stream through the conduits and controlling the hot gas flow in response to toxin levels in the air stream.

Abstract: A system for forming a blocking layer of water-saturated soil surrounding the foundation of a building to be protected from ingress of radon gas or other soil gas contaminents. The system includes at least one set of parallel positive and negative electrodes positioned in the soil, adjacent and spaced from the foundation. Typically, the negative electrode will be positioned closest to the foundation. A low level voltage is applied to the electrodes from a DC power source. One or more sets of such electrodes will be positioned in the soil surrounding the foundation or at least that portion of the foundation most susceptible to gas ingress.

Abstract: Particulate emissions from a wood fire in a fireplace having a baffle for preventing the direct flow of fluid into the flue from the wood fire are reduced by locating a hydrocarbon gas pilot source in proximity to the baffle. Ignited gas from the pilot combines particulate emissions from the wood fire while they are in the fireplace and before they reach the flue. Air from outside of the fireplace is supplied into proximity with ignited pilot gas so the outside air and the ignited pilot gas mix. A flame sensor for the pilot controls the flow of gas to the pilot source and ignition of the pilot source.

Abstract: Perovskite materials have a composition of the formula La.sub.1-x Sr.sub.x Cr.sub.1-y Ru.sub.y O.sub.3 wherein 0.1.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.5 and 0.01.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.0.10. The materials are used in catalysts for carbon monoxide oxidation, unsaturated hydrocarbon oxidation and/or nitrogen oxide reduction.

Abstract: This invention concerns a biological process for remediating creosote-contaminated sites or environment sites containing polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons generally found in creosote-contaminated sites. The biological process comprises novel bacteria which can degrade recalcitant chemical compounds.

Abstract: A resistance heater heats air forced by a fan into a woodstove secondary combustion chamber having an ignitor. The fan, heater and ignitor are controlled by a temperature sensor for gas flowing from a primary combustion chamber to a secondary combustion chamber. Two ignitors, extending through the stove back wall into the secondary combustion chamber, are controlled by the temperature sensor.

Abstract: The cost-effectiveness of sulfur oxides and particulate matter removal is improved by placing a sulfur oxides or other acidic gases removal system and a multi-stage electrostatic precipitator within a single housing. The sulfur oxides or other acidic gas removal system works by spraying a neutralizing slurry or solution into incoming flue gas to form neutral salts which dry in a reaction zone provided between the sulfur oxides or other acidic gas removal system and the electrostatic filtration module. This system also provides for simple retrofitting of existing systems to include SO.sub.2 or other acidic gas removal systems.

Abstract: Contaminating amounts of certain halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons are degraded and removed from water such as drinking water and industrial waste water, by treatment of the water with a microorganism that is effective to metabolize gaseous hydrocarbons by the action of monooxygenase enzyme.

Abstract: A photomicrographic system for measuring the number, size distribution and movement rate of foreign matter, e.g.

Abstract: A selected fraction of solid particles having sizes, densities and/or weights in a selected range is separated from a mixture of articles by fluidizing the mixture in a bed using a fluidizing fluid to cause particles including the selected fraction to pass out of the top of the bed; conveying the particles in a conveying fluid to a suitable separator (e.g. a cyclone) wherein the selected particles fraction is separated from smaller, lighter particles; injecting the separated fraction from the separator into a utilization zone (e.g. a fluid bed reactor); entraining other particles in the conveying fluid to another separator (e.g. a cyclone) to produce solids-free conveying fluid which is recirculated for re-use. The original particles mixture may be obtained by separation (e.g. in a cylone) from fluid leaving the utilization zone.

Abstract: Solid particulate waste material is coated with a thermosetting resin which is compressed and cured to form a rigid core. The rigid core is coated with a flexible thermoplastic resin to provide a sealed encapsulated waste agglomerate which can withstand moderate compressive loads.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing back corona effects while charging high resistivity dust or the like in a corona field, includes a corona discharge electrode, a passive electrode and a screen electrode, the screen electrode being positioned between the discharge electrode and the passive electrode. The screen electrode is positioned more closely to the passive electrode than the discharge electrode and is supplied with an electrical potential which is of the same polarity as and a fraction of the magnitude of the discharge electrode relative to the passive electrode. Gas having entrained therein the particulate material, which is to be removed, flows between the screen and discharge electrode and thence to a particulate material collection stage. The space between the screen and corona discharge electrode remains essentially a unipolar ion field, while ions of the opposite polarity originating at passive electrode due to back corona are collected by the screen electrode.

Abstract: The sorbent capacity of calcium oxide with respect to sulfur dioxide is increased by calcining limestone or dolomite in an atmosphere where the partial pressure of carbon dioxide is greater than 40 percent of the equilibrium partial pressure of carbon dioxide over calcium carbonate at the reaction temperature. Where dolomite is the starting material, it may be calcined in a two-step heating process in which the atmosphere during the first heating stage contains carbon dioxide and the temperature is maintained in the dissociation range of magnesium carbonate (M.sub.g CO.sub.3); the atmosphere of the second heating stage also contains carbon dioxide, but the temperature is maintained in the calcium carbonate (CaCO.sub.3) dissociation range. Calcium oxide so produced in such an atmosphere of carbon dioxide sufficient to delay calcination is found to have relatively large mouthed pores capable of sorbing increased amounts of sulfur.

Abstract: A non-blocking hopper for solids comprising a downwardly convergent hollow frusto-conical bottom part having a maximum radius R and a discharge aperture of diameter D at the narrowest (bottom) end. At least two V-shaped notches are formed symmetrically around the bottom part with their widest ends of width b and open to the discharge aperture, their apices being remote from the periphery of the aperture at a distance r therefrom. The following relationships are observed r.gtoreq. 0.3R; b.gtoreq.0.5D, and the angle between the axis and wall of the frustum is no greater than the angle of repose of the solids.

Abstract: Solid particles comprising combustible matter (e.g. coal) associated with or contaminated by inert matter (e.g. ash, rock) is segregated in a segregation zone into low density/small size and high density/large size fractions. The low density/small size fractions are passed to a utilization zone for conversion of the combustible matter. The high density/large size fractions are size reduced (e.g. by grinding) and either returned to the segregation zone, or passed at least in part, directly to the utilization zone. The conversion of the combustion matter proceeds more efficiently as a result. The segregation zone may operate by fluidized size/density segregation and in the utilization zone, the combustible matter may be at least partially combusted, preferably in a fluidized bed.

Abstract: A domestic furnace for heating a fluid that is circulated through a residential building includes an oil burner, a firebox for combustion products of the burner, a heat exchanger and a flue. A conduit extending from outside of the building supplies outside air to the burner and to the flue through a pressure controlled damper; the combustion air supplied to the burner is filtered. The air inlet to the burner includes a damper that closes automatically when the burner is extinguished, to eliminate heat losses up the flue during furnace standby. Nitric oxide, carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbon, and smoke emissions are minimized by the design of the burner and firebox combination. A conventional type burner head is used, rather than a flame retention type, and its choke diameter is related quantitatively to the burner firing rate. In addition, the burner head has oversized, internal, peripheral air swirler vanes.

Abstract: A testing method and apparatus for use at service stations to establish whether gasoline refueling systems meet government regulations for gasoline vapor emission. The apparatus includes a boot used to surround a gasoline dispensing nozzle while delivering gasoline to an automobile gas tank. The boot is of flexible material and has a hollow wall defining a vapor collection chamber, the inner part of the hollow wall having apertures distributed over its surface to allow gasoline vapor to be drawn into the chamber by suction. The outer part of the hollow wall has a stub connectable to a tube leading to vapor emission analyzing equipment. In the method, such a boot is used to recover the emitted vapors directly from the vehicle-nozzle interface region and the recovered vapors are drawn by a pump through a flow meter and delivered to an analyzer.