Abstract: Embodiments of a combination piston and piston ring to reduce the volume of a crevice defined between the circumferential wall of a cylinder and a portion of the outer wall of a piston within the cylinder, the portion extending down from the top of the piston. The combination piston and piston ring is configured such that pressurized fluid within the cylinder reliably urges a radial face of the piston ring to sealingly engage the circumferential wall of the cylinder, even as the piston reciprocates within the cylinder.

Abstract: Embodiments of a combination piston and piston ring to reduce the volume of a crevice defined between the circumferential wall of a cylinder and a portion of the outer wall of a piston within the cylinder, the portion extending down from the top of the piston. The combination piston and piston ring is configured such that pressurized fluid within the cylinder reliably urges a radial face of the piston ring to sealingly engage the circumferential wall of the cylinder, even as the piston reciprocates within the cylinder.

Abstract: A hybrid drive having a load shaft; a motor/generator coupled to the load shaft; an internal combustion engine; an electromagnetic clutch, configured to disengageably couple the internal combustion engine to the load shaft, and located between the motor/generator and the internal combustion engine; and a power supply, coupled to the motor/generator and to the clutch.

Abstract: Embodiments of a combination piston and piston ring to reduce the volume of a crevice defined between the circumferential wall of a cylinder and a portion of the outer wall of a piston within the cylinder, the portion extending down from the top of the piston. The combination piston and piston ring is configured such that pressurized fluid within the cylinder reliably urges a radial face of the piston ring to sealingly engage the circumferential wall of the cylinder, even as the piston reciprocates within the cylinder.

Abstract: Proposed are an aquatic exercise apparatus and a method for exercising aimed at improving mobility of a user by exercising in water. The apparatus consists of base support and a balance board, which is connected to the base support via a resilient body that allows tilting of the balance board in any direction and a mechanism that provides free rotation of the balance board. Exercising in water allow people with mobility deficits to perform exercises without a fear of falling, decreasing pain, and improving cardiovascular return.

Abstract: Various embodiments describe modifications to X-engines, which would utilize a dedicated chamber to implement bottoming Rankine cycle as well as additional improvements in sealing and combustion efficiency—all contributing to high efficiency. Improvements in sealing include a face seal having multiple surfaces.

Abstract: Embodiments of a combination piston and piston ring reduce the volume of a crevice defined between the circumferential wall of a cylinder and a portion of the outer wall of a piston within the cylinder, the portion extending down from the top of the piston. The combination piston and piston ring is configured such that pressurized fluid within the cylinder reliably urges a radial face of the piston ring to sealingly engage the circumferential wall of the cylinder, even as the piston reciprocates within the cylinder.

Abstract: Embodiments of a piston ring reduce the volume of a crevice defined between the circumferential wall of a cylinder and a portion of the outer wall of a piston within the cylinder, the portion extending down from the top of the piston. The piston ring is configured such that pressurized fluid within the cylinder reliably urges a radial face of the piston ring to sealingly engage the circumferential wall of the cylinder, even as the piston reciprocates within the cylinder.

Abstract: A rotary engine includes an intake port, an exhaust port, a rotor having an intake channel and/or an exhaust channel, and a rotor shaft coupled to the rotor. The rotor shaft has an inflow channel in communication with the intake channel and/or an outlet channel in communication with the exhaust channel. The rotary engine includes a housing having a working chamber formed between the housing and the rotor, the working chamber configured to handle, in succession, an intake phase, a compression phase, a combustion phase, an expansion phase, and an exhaust phase. The inflow channel cyclically communicates with the intake port and forms a passage between the intake port and the working chamber through the rotor shaft and the intake channel. The outlet channel cyclically communicates with the exhaust port and forms a passage between the exhaust port and the working chamber through the rotor shaft and the exhaust channel.

Abstract: Engines and methods execute a high efficiency hybrid cycle, which is implemented in a volume within an engine. The cycle includes isochoric heat addition and over-expansion of the volume within the engine, wherein the volume is reduced in a compression portion of the cycle from a first quantity to a second quantity, the volume is held substantially constant at the second quantity during a heat addition portion of the cycle, and the volume is increased in an expansion portion of the cycle to a third quantity, the third quantity being larger than the first quantity.

Abstract: A rotary engine includes an intake port, an exhaust port, a rotor having an intake channel and/or an exhaust channel, and a rotor shaft coupled to the rotor. The rotor shaft has an inflow channel in communication with the intake channel and/or an outlet channel in communication with the exhaust channel. The rotary engine includes a housing having a working chamber formed between the housing and the rotor, the working chamber configured to handle, in succession, an intake phase, a compression phase, a combustion phase, an expansion phase, and an exhaust phase. The inflow channel cyclically communicates with the intake port and forms a passage between the intake port and the working chamber through the rotor shaft and the intake channel. The outlet channel cyclically communicates with the exhaust port and forms a passage between the exhaust port and the working chamber through the rotor shaft and the exhaust channel.

Abstract: Various embodiments describe modifications to X-engines, which would utilize a dedicated chamber to implement bottoming Rankine cycle as well as additional improvements in sealing, combustion efficiency—all contributing to high efficiency.

Abstract: A rotary engine includes a housing having a working cavity, a shaft, the shaft having an eccentric portion, a rotor having a first axial face, and a second axial face opposite the first axial face, the rotor disposed on the eccentric portion and within the working cavity, the rotor comprising a first cam on the first axial face, the first came having an eccentricity corresponding to the eccentricity of the eccentric portion of the shaft, and a cover integral with, or fixedly attached to, the housing, the cover comprising a plurality or rollers, each roller engaged with the cam, wherein the cam guides the rotation of the rotor as the rotor rotates within the working cavity and orbits around the shaft.

Abstract: A rotary engine includes a housing having a working cavity, a shaft, the shaft having an eccentric portion, a rotor having a first axial face, and a second axial face opposite the first axial face, the rotor disposed on the eccentric portion and within the working cavity, the rotor comprising a first cam on the first axial face, the first came having an eccentricity corresponding to the eccentricity of the eccentric portion of the shaft, and a cover integral with, or fixedly attached to, the housing, the cover comprising a plurality or rollers, each roller engaged with the cam, wherein the cam guides the rotation of the rotor as the rotor rotates within the working cavity and orbits around the shaft.

Abstract: Engines and methods execute a high efficiency hybrid cycle, which is implemented in a volume within an engine. The cycle includes isochoric heat addition and over-expansion of the volume within the engine, wherein the volume is reduced in a compression portion of the cycle from a first quantity to a second quantity, the volume is held substantially constant at the second quantity during a heat addition portion of the cycle, and the volume is increased in an expansion portion of the cycle to a third quantity, the third quantity being larger than the first quantity.

Abstract: Provided is a combined pot and pan lid holder in the form of an open-top cylindrical body with a vertical slot for insertion of the user's hand and an internal kitchen utensil holder insertable into the cylindrical body. When necessary, the hot pot or pan lid is placed during cooking onto the open top side of the cylindrical body with the internal (pot or pan covering) side of the lid facing up. Since the internal side of the lid faces up, dripping from the lid to the support surface is completely prevented. The internal holder, which is intended for elongated kitchen utensils, such as ladle spoons, taste spoons, etc., can be used independently or held inside the cylindrical body.

Abstract: A vaginal speculum having a handle portion and a set of blade pairs some of which can be removably attached to the distal end of the handle and others can be slidingly inserted through the proximal end of the handle. Both pairs of the blades have snapping engagement with one and the same locking mechanism of the handle. The handle may constitute a permanent part, and the blades may be replaceable.

Abstract: A catheter assembly suitable for intermittent catheterization comprising a cylindrical casing composed of two telescopically moveable parts one of which is connectable to and moveable with a piston which is rigidly connected to a urinary catheter. The interior of the cylindrical casing is filled with a lubricating, anesthetic, antiseptic liquid, or the like, which during catheterization is injected into the urethra and urinary bladder through the catheter under the effect of movement of the piston simultaneously with the insertion of the catheter into the urethra. The device is provided with an anti-infective cap which is inserted into the first third of the urethra and is used as a guide for inserting the catheter into the urethra without physical contact with the part if the urethra which is a harbor of infections.

Abstract: A compact ready-to-use urethral catheter assembly suitable for intermittent self-catheterization that comprises a tubular body filled with a therapeutic liquid and having a urinary catheter with a piston portion slidingly installed into the tubular body so that catheterization is accompanied by automatic injection of the therapeutic liquid into the urethra by means of the piston through a gap formed during catheterization between the outer surface of the catheter and the inner walls of the antiseptic cap which is used as a sterile guide for insertion of the catheter without contact with the initial part of the urethra which may be a harbor of infection. The assembly is provided with built-in means for cleaning the urethral meatus before catheterization.

Abstract: A vaginal speculum having a handle portion and a set of blade pairs some of which can be removably attached to the distal end of the handle and others can be slidingly inserted through the proximal end of the handle. Both pairs of the blades have snapping engagement with one and the same locking mechanism of the handle. The handle may constitute a permanent part, and the blades may be disposable. The blades that are connectable to the distal end of the handle are provided with hoods that cover the surfaces on the front ends of the handle parts for protecting these with contact with the patient genitalia. This reduces the chance for transfer of infection from a patient to patient.