Abstract: The present invention provides a method of generating combustible gas from organic feedstock, such as the organic components of municipal waste, and a reactor therefor. The feedstock is processed through a plurality of reaction zones within the reactor, wherein the environment of each of the zones facilitates physical or chemical reactions that work to transform the organic feedstock into one or more combustible gases that can be burned for energy production.

Abstract: A method of operating a combustion ignition engine comprises introducing an amount of a compressibly non-ignitable fuel into the air induction system of a compression ignition engine during the intake stroke of the engine and then injecting an amount of compressibly ignitable fuel (e.g., Diesel fuel) in the cylinder chamber at a crank angle sufficiently advanced during the compression stroke of the compression ignition engine such that the compressibly ignitable fuel and incompressible non-ignitable fuel ignite and combust such that substantially all of the fuel in the cylinder is combusted, where the amount of compressibly non-ignitable fuel introduced into the cylinder has an energy content that is at least about 50% to at most about 99% of the total energy content of the total amount of fuel introduced.

Abstract: A method of operating a spark ignition engine comprises introducing a fuel comprised of a water soluble organic compound and at least 30% by volume water mixed in a homogeneous charge air-fuel mixture. The air-fuel mixture is compressed in an engine having a compression ratio of at least about 16, with such compression ratios including the effective compression ratios arising from precompressing the intake air (e.g., turbocharging). The compressed air fuel mixture is then ignited by a spark or like controllable ignition source.

Abstract: A method of operating a combustion ignition engine comprises introducing an amount of a compressibly non-ignitable fuel into the air induction system of a compression ignition engine during the intake stroke of the engine and then injecting an amount of compressibly ignitable fuel (e.g., Diesel fuel) in the cylinder chamber at a crank angle sufficiently advanced during the compression stroke of the compression ignition engine such that the compressibly ignitable fuel and incompressible non-ignitable fuel ignite and combust such that substantially all of the fuel in the cylinder is combusted, where the amount of compressibly non-ignitable fuel introduced into the cylinder has an energy content that is at least about 50% to at most about 99% of the total energy content of the total amount of fuel introduced.

Abstract: A system and associated method of processing solid waste via a waste gasification process results in usable by-products. The method utilizes a rotary kiln heated to a temperature of at least 800° F. and a reduction chamber, heated to a temperature of at least 1800° F. The solid waste is slowly rotated in the kiln for six to eight hours. The solid material is passed through screens to separate the ash from other items. Gases are monitored and transported to the reduction chamber to generate power. The gases are then transported to at least one air pollution control unit to remove contaminants before being vented into the atmosphere.

Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system for use with an internal combustion engine includes at least one leg having a multi-stage NOx adsorber, with each NOx adsorber stage corresponding to a different temperature range of NOx adsorption. In a multi-pass aftertreatment system, a manifold has at least one inlet and a plurality of outlets. A plurality of legs are connected with a respective manifold outlet. Each leg has a NOx adsorber therein. At least one valve is positioned in association with at least one leg for at least partially opening and closing the at least one leg.

Abstract: A method of determining a rate of flow of a first gas in a pipe includes placing a flow-restricting device in the pipe such that the device and/or the pipe define a first channel section and a second channel section. The second channel section is disposed downstream from the first channel section. The first channel section has a first cross-sectional area. The second channel section having a second cross-sectional area less than the first cross-sectional area. A source of a second gas is provided in fluid communication with the second channel section. A low pressure in the second channel section is caused by an increased flow velocity and creates a flow of the second gas into the second channel section. A rate of a flow of the second gas into said second channel section is measured. A mathematical relationship between the rate of the flow of the second gas into the second channel section and the rate of flow of the first gas in the pipe is ascertained.

Abstract: An exhaust aftertreatment system for use with an internal combustion engine includes at least one leg having a multi-stage NOx adsorber, with each NOx adsorber stage corresponding to a different temperature range of NOx adsorption. In a multi-pass aftertreatment system, a manifold has at least one inlet and a plurality of outlets. A plurality of legs are connected with a respective manifold outlet. Each leg has a NOx adsorber therein. At least one valve is positioned in association with at least one leg for at least partially opening and closing the at least one leg.

Abstract: A centrifuge filter for removing soot from engine oil. The centrifuge filter includes a rotor adapted to be rotated inside a centrifuge housing by an electric motor or other means. The rotor preferably includes a reusable aluminum support casing and a disposable plastic cartridge. The plastic cartridge includes a trap with partition walls to prevent wave formation in the rotating liquid contained in the trap. The cartridge includes an annular inlet through its top end, a winding flow path through the cartridge and an outlet at the bottom enc. The centrifuge housing includes an isolated sealed rotor chamber. Using the venturi effect, air is evacuated from the rotor chamber to provide a partial vacuum to reduce air drag on the rotor. Resilient rubber vibration isolators are used to reduce vibrations and engine induced shock loads from reaching the rotating element. A side oil inlet is provided in the cartridge to receive unfiltered oil at a location offset from the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A centrifuge filter for removing soot from engine oil. The centrifuge filter includes a rotor adapted to be rotated inside a centrifuge housing by an electric motor or other means. The rotor preferably includes a reusable aluminum support casing and a disposable plastic cartridge. The plastic cartridge includes a trap with partition walls to prevent wave formation in the rotating liquid contained in the trap. The cartridge includes an annular inlet through its top end, a winding flow path through the cartridge and an outlet at the bottom. The centrifuge housing includes an isolated sealed rotor chamber. Using the venturi effect, air is evacuated from the rotor chamber to provide a partial vacuum to reduce air drag on the rotor. Resilient rubber vibration isolators are used to reduce vibrations and engine induced shock loads from reaching the rotating element. A side oil inlet is provided in the cartridge to receive unfiltered oil at a location offset from the axis of rotation.

Abstract: A bone conduction microphone and speaker mountable in contact with a user's head or head area, each utilize a strategically mounted audio transducer that is preferably a piezoelectric ceramic bender. In the case of the speaker, the bender is coupled to an audio transformer which may or may not be potted with the bender within the same housing. Additionally, the speaker bender is mounted on a foam layer either with or without a supporting shelf depending on the desired application. The microphone bender is potted within the housing and includes a JFET and resistor mounted directly to the elements of the bender. The present microphone is designed to create the largest possible acoustic mismatch with air while nearly matching the acoustic impedance to the human skill structure. This attenuates the amount of ambient air noise coupled sound receivable into the microphone by greater than 80 dB. The speaker is designed with acoustic impedance matched for bone conduction sound.

Abstract: A method of determining a rate of flow of a first gas in a pipe includes placing a flow-restricting device in the pipe such that the device and/or the pipe define a first channel section and a second channel section. The second channel section is disposed downstream from the first channel section. The first channel section has a first cross-sectional area. The second channel section having a second cross-sectional area less than the first cross-sectional area. A source of a second gas is provided in fluid communication with the second channel section. A low pressure in the second channel section is caused by an increased flow velocity and creates a flow of the second gas into the second channel section. A rate of a flow of the second gas into said second channel section is measured. A mathematical relationship between the rate of the flow of the second gas into the second channel section and the rate of flow of the first gas in the pipe is ascertained.

Abstract: A centrifugal filter assembly for filtering particulates from a fluid medium includes a non-rotating filter housing. A filter is disposed within the housing. The filter is rotatable relative to the housing about an axis of rotation. The filter has an inlet and an outlet for the fluid medium. A filter medium is disposed within the filter. A drive mechanism rotates the filter.

Abstract: A centrifugal filter assembly for filtering particulates from engine oil includes a housing with a threaded connector. A filter disposed within the housing is rotatable relative to the housing about an axis of rotation. The filter has an inlet and an outlet for the oil. A filter head includes a mating threaded connector configured to mate with the housing threaded connector. The filter head includes a venturi section in communication with the outlet. The venturi section is configured to create a vacuum within the housing for drawing oil through the outlet. A brushless direct current motor carried by the filter head has a rotatable output shaft coupled with the filter for rotating the filter about the axis of rotation. A controller carried by the filter head controls operation of the motor. The controller includes a printed circuit board disposed within the filter head which carries the motor.

Abstract: A centrifugal filter assembly for filtering particulates from a fluid includes a rotating filter disposed within a housing and rotatable relative to the housing about an axis of rotation. A turbine is attached to the filter and includes a plurality of turbine blades extending generally radially relative to the axis of rotation. A nozzle having an outlet is aligned relative to the turbine, whereby a pressurized fluid which is jetted from the nozzle impinges upon the turbine and causes the filter to rotate about the axis of rotation.

Abstract: An underwater audio communication system to be worn by a diver is connected with and carried by a conventional face mask such that bone conduction occurs through the mastoid bone of the diver (i.e., behind the ear of the diver). The underwater audio communication system includes a face mask with a head strap for placement behind the head of the diver. A transceiver which is connected with and carried by the head strap is configured for receiving and transmitting ultrasonic signals in the water. At least one bone conduction transducer assembly is connected with and carried by the head strap at a location for placement against a mastoid bone of the diver. Each bone conduction transducer assembly is electrically connected with the transceiver.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a scuba diving mouthpiece for supplying air to a diver. The mouthpiece includes a mouth engageable body having at least one biteplate. Each biteplate is adapted for being disposed between and engaged by the teeth of the diver. A sound transducer is associated with the body, and includes a magnetostrictive element with opposing ends. The magnetostrictive element is expandable and contractible in an axial direction in a presence of a magnetic field. A sound conducting member includes a movable distal end and an opposing fixed end. The sound conducting member is operatively connected with one of the ends of the magnetostrictive element at a location between the distal end and the fixed end. The sound conducting member is embedded within the body and configured to receive audio sounds from the connected sound transducer.

Abstract: An underwater scuba diver communication system is disclosed which is comprised of an oral bone conduction mouthpiece based sound transmission and conduction device, an oral--mouthpiece based microphone, an ultrasonic sound transmission device, an ultrasonic receiving device and the electronic circuitry required to facilitate the transmission or reception of ultrasound transmitted signals through a water medium. The system is constructed to provide underwater diver voice communication with a modified scuba mouthpiece not unlike in appearance or function from a conventional second stage mouthpiece for a scuba diver breathing apparatus. This mouthpiece can also be configured to provide binaural input and/or output with two different transducers for locating sound direction underwater.