Abstract: An apparatus for the purification of water contaminated by micro-organisms and chemicals by means of a three stage process is taught. The apparatus consists of a prefiltration stage, an ozonation stage, and a post filtration stage. The contaminated water is initially drawn from a reservoir through a filter through a bed consisting of a porous media, calcium bentonite, zeolite, activated carbon and a second porous media. The filtered water is then passed into a ozonation chamber wherein gaseous ozone is introduced so as to oxidize contaminants. The reduction/oxidation condition in the ozonation chamber serve to control the cycle time. Once the water is disinfected it is passed through a second filter consisting of a porous media and activated carbon before being dispensed into a clean water carafe.

Abstract: A process and reactor for chemical conversion is taught. The process allows the selective breaking of chemical bonds in a molecule by use of fast rise alternating current or fast rise pulsed direct current, each fast rise portion being selected to have a suitable voltage and frequency to break a selected chemical bond in a molecule. The reactor for carrying out such a process includes a chamber for containing the molecule and a generator for generating and applying the selected fast rise current.

Abstract: A cyclone separator having an improved efficiency to remove a broader spectrum of contained particles is disclosed. The inner wall of the cyclone separator is configured to continuously impart changes in the acceleration of a fluid as it rotates within the cyclone cavity.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner head having a casing having a dirty air inlet, a housing mounted above the dirty air inlet and moveable with respect to the dirty air inlet and a brush roatably mounted within the housing. The brush is moveable with the housing for improving the air flow of the dirty air around the brush into the vacuum cleaner head.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a longitudinally extending housing having a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port; and, at leat one plurality of spaced apart members, each member rotatably mounted in the housing and having a pair of opposed surfaces to transmit motive force between fluid introduced through the fluid inlet port and the spaced apart members, the surface area of the opposed surfaces varying between at least some of the immediately adjacent spaced apart members.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting a venturi tube having an inlet, an aspirator inlet and an outlet directly within a fluid flow stream, with the aspirator inlet not in contact with the fluid flow stream is disclosed. A plate having a first aperture leading to the venturi inlet, and a series of second apertures both supports the venturi within a conduit and divides the fluid flow stream into a first stream which flows through the venturi tube and a second stream which flows around the venturi tube. A variety of adjusting mechanisms are disclosed for varying the cross sectional area of the second apertures relative to the cross sectional area of the venturi tube. The apparatus is adapted to allow the back pressure within the venturi tube (which increases as the fluid flow rate increases) to force an increasing proportion of the flow stream to flow around the venturi tube in order to maintain a relatively constant aspiration rate within the venturi tube.

Abstract: A turbine comprising a first housing having a first shaft rotatably mounted in the housing; a plurality of first spaced apart discs having an outer diameter and mounted on the first shaft and rotatable therewith, each first disc having a radial inner end defining an inner opening, a radial outer end and a pair of opposed surfaces extending therebetween; a second housing having a second shaft rotatably mounted in the housing; and, a plurality of second spaced apart discs having an outer diameter and mounted on the second shaft and rotatable therewith, each second disc having a radial inner end defining an inner opening, a radial outer end and a pair of opposed surfaces extending therebetween, the outer diameter of at least some of the first spaced apart discs is less than the outer diameter of at least some of the second spaced apart discs.

Abstract: A method for filtering a dirty air stream in a vacuum cleaner to obtain a clean air stream has subjecting the dirty air stream to a first cyclonic separation stage to obtain a partially cleaned air stream and subjecting the partially cleaned air stream to a second cyclonic separation stage and an electronic filtration stage to obtain the clean air stream.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a longitudinally extending housing having a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port; a plurality of spaced apart members rotatably mounted in the housing to transmit motive force between fluid introduced through the fluid inlet port and the members; each member having a pair of smooth opposed surfaces, each surface having an inner portion and an outer portion; and, at least one of the members having a width that is increased at at least one discrete location to alter the fluid flow over the surface of that member.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a pressure swing adsorption process is disclosed that may utilize only a single adsorption stage yet still produce a continuous stream of a concentrated fluid. A portion of the enriched fluid produced during the adsorption cycle in an adsorption chamber is used to purge the adsorption chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing ozone from oxygen comprises a high voltage electrode connectable to a current source; a ground electrode spaced from the high voltage electrode and having an upstream end and a downstream end; a dielectric element positioned between the high voltage electrode and the ground electrode; a path for air flow positioned between the dielectric element and the ground electrode; and, a current collector positioned downstream of the high voltage electrode and comprising an extension of the ground electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a longitudinally extending housing having a fluid inlet port; a plurality of spaced apart members rotatably mounted in the housing to transmit motive force between fluid introduced through the fluid inlet port and the members and to separate the fluid into at least two fluid streams; and, a fluid outlet port positioned on the housing for receiving each fluid stream.

Abstract: A turbine comprising a first housing having a first shaft rotatably drivingly connected to a second shaft and mounted in the first housing; a plurality of first spaced apart discs mounted on the first shaft and rotatable therewith; a second housing having the second shaft rotatably mounted in the second housing; and, a plurality of second spaced apart discs mounted on the second shaft and rotatable therewith.

Abstract: A cyclone separator having an improved efficiency to remove a broader spectrum of contained particles is disclosed. The transverse section of the inner wall of the cyclone separator is configured to impart changes in the rate of acceleration of a fluid as it rotates within the cyclone cavity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a pressure swing adsorption process having an adsorption zone is disclosed that may utilize only a single adsorption stage. The purge cycle is automatically commenced by a pressure build up in the enriched fluid vented from an adsorption zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a pressure swing adsorption process is disclosed that may utilize only a single adsorption stage yet still produce a continuous stream of a concentrated fluid.

Abstract: A process of separating water from ambient air involves a liquid desiccant to first withdraw water from air and treatment of the liquid desiccant to produce water and regenerated desiccant. Water lean air is released to the atmosphere. Heat generated in the process is recycled. The drying capacity, or volume of water produced, of the system for a given energy input is favored over the production of dried air.

Abstract: A method for treating a liquid such as water with a gas such as ozone where the liquid to be treated is introduced into a treatment vessel, gas is introduced into the treatment vessel to treat the liquid and the liquid is treated. The treatment vessel is then pressurized and the pressure in the treatment vessel is used to dispense the treated liquid from the treatment vessel through a filter.

Abstract: A cyclonic separation device is provided having improved pressure loss characteristics. A fluid supply conduit in flow communication with an inlet to a cyclone is located and configured to extend longitudinally through a central portion of the cyclone, whereby the sharp bending of the conduit may be reduced, thereby reducing pressure losses in the device, without unduly interfering with the cyclonic flow within the cyclone. The present invention may be adapted for use with cyclonic separation devices of all types, including single- and multi-stage cyclonic separators.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a longitudinally extending housing having a fluid inlet port; at leat one plurality of spaced apart members rotatably mounted in the housing to transmit motive force between fluid introduced through the fluid inlet port and the members, the spaced apart members having an upstream end and a downstream end; and, a fluid outlet port extending longitudinally along the housing and having a first end positioned towards the upstream end of the spaced apart members and a second end positioned towards the downstream end of the spaced apart members, the second end of the fluid outlet port radially displaced along the housing from the first end.