Abstract: A nuclear-powered plant of a portable type with a confinement section where the reaction takes place in a core having a reactive thorium/uranium-233 composition, and where an external neutron source is used as a modulated neutron multiplier for the reactor core output. The core is housed in a containment structure that radiates thermal energy captured in a multiple-paths heat exchanger. The exchanger heat energy output is put to use in a conventional gas-to-water heat exchanger to produce commercial quality steam.

Abstract: A nuclear power plant that is of a walk-away type with an encapsulated reaction core in a glass matrix pool having a reactive Thorium/U.sup.233 composition in a containment structure that radiates thermal energy for use in a closed gas cycle with a split path having a common compressor with an output that divides into a first path communicating with the thermal source and a second path communicating with an intercooler, the two paths combining in a turbine with an expander that discharges to a common collector for return to the compressor.

Abstract: An optical lens for eyewear for correcting severe myopia molded from a lens blank having an outer perimeter portion and an inner central portion, and having an inside and outside surface, the inside and outside surface of the outer perimeter portion being without prescription and the inner central portion having a discontinuous inside surface with a raised beveled section around an inner concave section having a corrective curvature for myopia vision.

Abstract: A lenticular lens for eyewear and method for making the same, the lens being formed with a curved substrate having a plurality of lentoid impressions formed preferably on the inner surface of the substrate by a mold that includes curved, opposed mold pieces, one mold piece having an inset with parallel posts forming a composite face that is ground to a predetermined first curvature for optical correction, and then reoriented by sliding the posts to a predetermined second curvature complimentary to curvature of the opposed mold piece for imprinting thin lens blanks with multiple lentoid impressions for lightweight recreational eyewear.

Abstract: A cartridge boiler designed for use in multiples in a furnace, each cartridge boiler having a vertically oriented cylindrical drum top and bottom with hemispherical end caps, with a plurality of free-expansion boiler tubes having internal feed water supply tubes depending in a cluster through the bottom end cap. The supply tubes are gravity fed by an open feed water pan within the drum, the feed water supply being controlled by a boiler level monitoring device. The boilers are used in multiples to generate the steam required, the relative small size of individual cartridge boiler being designed to minimize fabrication costs by minimizing drum diameters, and maximize system performance by allowing select cartridge replacement without system shutdown.

Abstract: A dashboard and steering wheel assembly for a motor vehicle arranged with a front seat for driver and passenger safety, the assembly including a dashboard having a heavily padded, substantially flat, inclined surface substantially encompassing a padded steering wheel oriented flush with the inclined surface of the dashboard, the steering wheel having a structural construction to provide a cushioning effect substantially equal to the dashboard, the surface of the dashboard and flush oriented steering wheel being inclined at an angle and positioned with respect to the seat to maximize the contact area of a forward thrust driver and passenger on collision of the vehicle.

Abstract: A portable power plant for combustion of solid fuels with contiguous generation of steam and power, wherein the plant is constructed with a low-profile, contiguous dual stage combustion chamber and adjacent dual stage boiler chamber for controlled pyrolysis burning of low B.t.u. solid fuels, the plant having controlled gas and air flow for phased burning and cycling of combustion products with capture and utilization of system generated heat for air and fuel preheating, the plant being constructed for vehicle carriage for mobility to the fuel site.

Abstract: A gas valve for attachment to a gas line for preventing flow of gas subsequent to a vibration shock of a predefined limit, the valve having a ball and pedestal trip mechanism wherein the ball, in set position on the pedestal, supports a lever connected to a flap closure which drops to a closed position on displacement of the ball from the support pedestal, the valve having a reset mechanism and multiple support pedestals for selection of a desired strength setting.

Abstract: A nuclear power plant constructed with a nuclear reactor core centrally mounted within an elongated, split chamber pressure vessel having contained solid state heat transfer conductors for transfer of heat from a liquid core coolant to a gas power medium in an upper heat exchange chamber of the pressure vessel, and having a discharge mechanism for dumping the reactor core when spent into a lower radioactive material storage chamber of the pressure vessel, the power plant including a power generating system having a steam turbine, an electrical generator and a gas compressor.

Abstract: A boiler having an elevated water supply, steam collector drum with a plurality of depending heat exchange tubes, the tubes being connected to the drum to provide a supply path for water from the boiler drum and a return path for steam and water to the boiler drum, the tubes being connected to a single drum facilitating the removal and replacement of defective tubes and servicing of the drum.

Abstract: A three-stage liquid fuel burner designed to combust fuel efficiently at a temperature less than 2600.degree. F. to substantially inhibit fixation of polluting nitrogen compounds, the burner including three concentric cylindrical chambers of increasing diameter and staggered length, with provision for gradual introduction of air longitudinally through the chambers for full stoichiometric combustion, fuel being injected into the innermost chamber with air supplied below stoichiometric proportion for in complete combustion, the partially combusted gases passing longitudinally to a secondary outer chamber where air is supplied to approximately stoichiometric proportion, the relatively fully combusted gases passing longitudinally to a tertiary outermost chamber where air is supplied to nearly twice stoichiometric proportion.

Abstract: A boiler comprising a pressure vessel containing a volume of oil, a heat exchanger adapted to heat the oil within the pressure vessel and a water injection unit for injecting water into the oil volume and the pressure vessel for generation of steam.

Abstract: A turbine designed for use with steam contaminated with corrosives, the turbine has a plurality of turbine wheels with a peripheral rim around which are symmetrically arranged a plurality of nozzles; steam supplied to the center of a wheel is directed outward at an angle from a tangent to the periphery of the rim, the wheels having a cooperating housing for redirecting the steam from the periphery of one wheel to the center of the next adjacent wheel, the turbine being constructed for directing wear primarily in the stationary housing and/or components which are inexpensive and easily replaceable.

Abstract: A solid fuel burner utilizing at least two stacked chambers one of which contains a combustion bed for the solid fuel burning process. A second chamber below the first bed containing chamber serves to combust volatile gases unburned in the first chamber with the aid of an oxidizing rejector.

Abstract: A toilet for conserving water, the toilet having a water storage chamber which includes an expandable diaphragm wall that on filling under household water supply pressure conforms to a wall of a complimentary air chamber separated from the storage compartment by the diaphragm. The chamber communicating with a gated discharge cavity between a trap and a sewage line, wherein water in the storage compartment is released at a high flow rate into a bowl having sedentary waste water, the waste water being exhausted from the bowl into the discharge cavity by a partial vacuum action generated by the contracting diaphragm concurrent with the introduction of the supply water, the waste water being gated from the discharge cavity into the sewer line on reduction of the vacuum pressure, whereby the supply water replaces rather than flushes the waste water.

Abstract: A low polluting solid waste burner utilizes a first combustion chamber in which the solid waste is partially oxidized under a positive pressure with the partially oxided gaseous combustion products passing out into a first conduit where the gas is recycled for dual burning back into the first combustion chamber. A conduit is also provided between the ash compartment and the combustion chamber to completely oxidize ash compartment gases with complete combustion product gases being conducted away to a spray tower or water curtain by the positive pressure in the combustion chamber produced by the combustion air blower. A second combustion chamber may be used to further oxidize the gaseous combustion products.

Abstract: A fishing rig comprised of a simple spool of about five inch diameter which contains the fishing line, with a handle attached to its rear face, and its forward lip flared to permit easy dispersal of the contained fishing line. The central cavity formed by the flared front lip can be divided into compartments for storage of other fishing items, with a snap plastic lid to retain said items within their respective compartments. The compact and portable fishing rig is readily stored in a typical bureau or cabinet drawer, and can be hooked on the belt for hiking. In use, it is easily hand cast as a sling-shot would be used.