Abstract: A fluid flow control device, particularly useful for drip-irrigation emitters, for controlling the discharge of a fluid (water) from a discharge port in a fluid conduit (drip irrigation pipe) includes: a housing attachable to the fluid conduit and constructed to define a fluid chamber having an inlet opening communicating with the interior of the fluid conduit, and an outlet opening communicating with the discharge port of the fluid conduit; and a flow control member freely movable within the fluid chamber and having a surface contacting an inner surface of the housing to control the flow of fluid from said fluid chamber out of the fluid conduit via said outlet opening in the housing. One of the contacting surfaces of the flow control member or housing is formed with a protruding pattern such that the two contacting surfaces define small passageways for the flow of fluid from the fluid chamber out of the fluid conduit via the outlet opening.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of a fluid containing microorganisms purification, comprising a stack of sheets each having patterns of ribs protruding from its surfaces and an embedded conductive foil connectable to a voltage source. In-between the stacked sheets the ribs engage to form fluid passageways in which electric field is generated by connecting said foils to a voltage source. The protrusions of some ribs from the sheet surface is smaller than others and they are shaped to locally amplify the electric field, thereby gate zones are formed along said passageways where the intensity of the electric field is effective for destruction of microorganisms in the fluid flow. The gate zones also deflect the fluid flow generating localized turbulence such that the time the fluid is residing along the passageway is extended and the microorganisms destruction action by the amplified electrical field is further enhanced.

Abstract: A fluid flow control device, particularly useful for drip-irrigation emitters, for controlling the discharge of a fluid (water) from a discharge port in a fluid conduit (drip irrigation pipe) includes: a housing attachable to the fluid conduit and constructed to define a fluid chamber having an inlet opening communicating with the interior of the fluid conduit, and an outlet opening communicating with the discharge port of the fluid conduit; and a flow control member freely movable within the fluid chamber and having a surface contacting an inner surface of the housing to control the flow of fluid from said fluid chamber out of the fluid conduit via said outlet opening in the housing. One of the contacting surfaces of the flow control member or housing is formed with a protruding pattern such that the two contacting surfaces define small passageways for the flow of fluid from the fluid chamber out of the fluid conduit via the outlet opening.

Abstract: A method and system for treating a fluid by trapping particles of an active material suspended in a flow stream by way of a particle-trap structure so as to form a multi-layer filtering media to treat the fluid. The particle trap is fully regenerative configured so that the particles are readily back flushed after achieving their absorption capacity in preparation for loading a fresh charge of active particles. The method also describes a combination of a centrifuge separator in-line with the regenerative particle trap configured such that the separator first removes contaminants of considerably different specific gravity than the fluid and the regenerative active particle trap then removes the remaining contaminants by absorption or chemical treatment.

Abstract: A method of utilizing a filter having a filter body removing solid particles from a fluid, in order to extend the life cycle of the filter body before cleaning or replacement thereof is required, characterized in applying to the fluid, upstream of the filter body, an AC electrical field of a frequency and intensity to agglomerate solid particles in the fluid reaching the filter body, such as to reduce the number of smaller particles in the fluid tending to clog the filter body. Also described are a plurality of filter constructions for extending the life cycle of the filter body in accordance with the above method.

Abstract: A method of utilizing a filter having a filter body removing solid particles from a fluid, in order to extend the life cycle of the filter body before cleaning or replacement thereof is required, characterized in applying to the fluid, upstream of the filter body, an AC electrical field of a frequency and intensity to agglomerate solid particles in the fluid reaching the filter body, such as to reduce the number of smaller particles in the fluid tending to clog the filter body. Also described are a plurality of filter constructions for extending the life cycle of the filter body in accordance with the above method.

Abstract: An air filter includes a stack of filter discs formed with contacting faces having surface formations defining filtering passageways between adjacent discs for removing solid particles from the air passing through the stack. The filter discs in the stack further include electrodes spaced from each other axially of the stack and connectable to a voltage source for producing an electrical field attracting solid particles towards the discs to thereby enhance removal of the solid particles from the air passing through the stack. The filter discs in the stack include a first plurality of insulating discs composed of insulating material, and a second plurality of electrode discs composed of electrically-conductive material, with the electrode discs separated from each other by at least one insulating disc.

Abstract: An air filter includes a stack of filter discs formed with contacting faces having surface formations defining filtering passageways between adjacent discs for removing solid particles from the air passing through the stack. The filter discs in the stack further include electrodes spaced from each other axially of the stack and connectable to a voltage source for producing an electrical field attracting solid particles towards the discs to thereby enhance removal of the solid particles from the air passing through the stack. The filter discs in the stack include a first plurality of insulating discs composed of insulating material, and a second plurality of electrode discs composed of electrically-conductive material, with the electrode discs separated from each other by at least one insulating disc.

Abstract: A filter-cleaning device and method for cleaning a filter (10) utilizing a compressible fluid pulse generator (20) including a pressure tank (21), a tank inlet (23) for inletting pressurized air or other compressible fluid, and a valve member (24) normally in a closed position closing the tank outlet (28), but being openable in a quick-action manner to produce a high-pressure high-flow impulse of fluid applied via the tank outlet to the filter outlet to back-flush the filter.

Abstract: A filter-cleaning device and method for cleaning a filter (10) a compressible fluid pulse generator (20) including a pressure lank (21), a tank inlet (23) for inletting pressurized air or other compressible fluid, and a valve member (24) normally in a closed position closing the tank outlet (28), but being openable in a quick-action manner to produce a high-pressure high-flow inpulse of fluid applied via the tank outlet to the filter outlet to back-flush the filter.

Abstract: A multiple disc filter includes a plurality of discs arranged in a stack with a face of each disc in contact with a face of the next adjacent disc in the stack. The contacting faces of the discs include surface formations defining small filtering passageways between adjacent discs for filtering a fluid passing between them. The surface formations include a rib array of spaced rib sections integrally formed on a flat surface of one of the contacting faces; and a protrusion array of spaced, discrete protrusions spacing the rib array of the one contacting face from a flat surface of the other contacting face.

Abstract: An airbag protection system for helicopters. Airbags are inflated either automatically or manually, or a combination of both, prior to the helicopter striking the ground, thus avoiding or ameliorating a crash. Proximity sensors detect a fast descent to trigger inflation of the airbags located beneath the helicopter fuselage so that they can cushion the impact with the ground. Venting of the gas from the airbags is also provided to release the gas from the airbags so as to prevent rebound of the helicopter from the ground.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel assembly includes a tire, a rim, an air valve and a relief valve. The relief valve can be installed in the rim, in the tire, or incorporated into the housing of the air valve to communicate directly with the interior of the tire; or as an adapter attachable to the outer end of the air valve. The relief valve includes an aperture normally covered by pre-stressed flexible belt which seals the aperture, but upon the presence of excessive pressure in the tire is deforming to vent the excessive pressure to the atmosphere. A second described variation relief valve includes a weakened portion of its housing which is automatically ruptured upon the presence of excessive pressure; this variation provides a one-time venting adapter.

Abstract: An air filter body includes a plurality of discs of electrically insulating material arranged in a stack and having ribbed contacting faces defining small filtering passageways between the contacting faces of adjacent discs. Each disc has an electrode layer insulated by the respective disc from the electrodes of the adjacent discs. Each electrode is electrically connected to an electrical terminal at an edge of the respective discs. Electrical conductors connect the electrical terminals of alternating discs to one side of a voltage source, and the electrical terminals of the remaining alternating discs to the other side of the voltage source.

Abstract: A device for accelerating a projectile to an extremely high velocity includes a launch tube having electrodes engageable with the projectile assembly for applying a large electrical voltage to it, the projectile assembly includes a pair of travelling electrodes fixed to the rear end of the projectile and engageable with the launch tube electrodes during the travel of the projectile assembly through the launch tube. The travelling electrodes define a spark gap which, under the high voltage applied from the launch tube electrodes, forms a high-temperature, high-pressure plasma arc travelling with the projectile and effective to increase its acceleration.

Abstract: Reactive armor elements each holding at least one reactive assembly of the kind in which an explosive layer is sandwiched between two metal plates, which is paired with a passive assembly comprising a layer of swellable material sandwiched between two metal plates. In each such pair the reactive assembly is outermost.

Abstract: A sub-caliber projectile, having a detachable sabot means which comprises leading and trailing obturating members spaced apart along a longitudinal axis of the projectile and releasably secured thereto. A pressure cell is defined between the obturating members communication means being located in the trailing obturating member for effecting communication between the interior of the barrel and the pressure cell and being so designed that the maximum pressure generated in the pressure cell by the influx of propellant gases from the barrel and through the communication means during the launching of the projectile is substantially less than the maximum pressure generated in the barrel and exerted on the trailing obturating member.

Abstract: A sub-caliber projectile having a front end, a tail end and a cylindrical aped mid-section of substantially uniform diameter, sabot means comprising an annular obturating disc member and an annular stabilizing member, first retaining means for releasably securing said members together, said sabot means being mounted on and displaceable along said mid-section between a first position wherein it abuts said front end and a second position adjacent said tail end, and second retaining means for retaining said stabilizing member adjacent said tail end, the arrangement being such that after firing of said projectile said sabot means is displaced from said first position to said second position with the release of said obturating disc member from said stabilizing member and with the retention of the latter on said tail end.