Abstract: In a hydroelectric turbine having a rotor disposed within a stator housing, the rotor having an annular outer rim received by a channel in the stator housing, the improvement comprising a buoyant rotor, the rotor preferably having buoyancy chambers disposed within the rotor. The buoyancy chambers may be disposed within the annular outer rim, the blades or an annular inner rim, or combinations thereof. Preferably, the buoyancy chambers are filled with a material having a specific gravity of one or less, and most preferably the filler material is a polymer foam that adds rigidity to the rotor.

Abstract: A hydroelectric turbine for the production of electricity from tidal flow forces, the turbine having a rotor with an open center such that the blades are mounted between an inner rim and outer rim, wherein retaining members and anti-friction members are provided to limit movement of the rotor relative to the housing in either axial direction, such that water flow in either direction operates the turbine, but wherein the retaining members and the anti-friction members allow the rotor to shift in either axial direction in response to water flow. The anti-friction members limiting rotor travel in the axial direction are preferably of increased thickness, such that as the anti-friction members wear down, the rotor is able to shift relative to the housing in the axial direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide fluid treatment at a plurality of distinct points using a length of energized magnetically conductive conduit in fluid communication with non-magnetic coupling devices. The instant invention prevents the formation and accumulation of contaminants within conduits and on equipment utilized in the transportation, delivery and processing of fluid columns. It may also be utilized to accelerate the separation of oil and water and increase the efficiency of oil/water separation equipment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for contaminant separation utilizes an interleaved array of oppositely charged electrode plates for fluid treatment. Spacing between the parallel electrode plates is graduated so that the volume of the cavities between the opposing electrodes provides varying levels of treatment of a broad range of contaminants from a variety of fluid columns. A fluid flow path extending substantially orthogonal to the direction of the electrical field established between opposing electrode plates provides a feed stream with exposure to the varying levels of electrical charges between the electrode plates. The method and apparatus provide an effective means of contaminant separation by a device having a small footprint and requiring low amounts of electrical energy.

Abstract: A fluid turbine, such as a wind or hydro turbine, for generating electrical power, the turbine having a rotor assembly comprising a hub, a rim and a plurality of tensioned cable members joining them together, the cable members being grouped into sets to define a plurality of supports for individual skin members to create a plurality of lightweight blade members.

Abstract: A hydroelectric turbine for the production of electricity from tidal flow forces, the turbine having a rotor preferably with an open center such that the blades are mounted between an inner rim and outer rim, wherein retaining members and anti-friction members are provided to limit movement of the rotor relative to the housing in either axial direction, such that water flow in either direction operates the turbine, but wherein the retaining members and the anti-friction members allow the rotor to shift in either axial direction in response to water flow, thereby reducing the amount of energy required to initiate rotation. The anti-friction members limiting rotor travel in the axial direction are preferably of increased thickness, such that as the anti-friction members wear down, the rotor is able to shift relative to the housing in the axial direction.

Abstract: A hydroelectric turbine for the production of electricity from tidal flow forces, the turbine having a rotor with an open center such that the blades are mounted between an inner rim and outer rim, where retaining members and anti-friction members are provided to prevent excessive movement of the rotor relative to the housing in either axial direction, such that water flow in either direction operates the turbine.

Abstract: The embodiment is a venturi front shroud that can be pursed or released to decrease or increase water velocity through the housing of a turbine.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy is disclosed that is suitable for casting and machining cylinder blocks for engines, especially gasoline fuel engines for automotive vehicles. The casting has the strength and wear resistance to piston/seal scuffing for such engines. The alloy comprises, by weight, 9.5 to 12.5% silicon, 0.1 to 1.5% iron, 1.5 to 4.5% copper, 0.2 to 3% manganese, 0.1 to 0.6% magnesium, 2.0% max zinc, 0 to 1.5% nickel, 0.25% maximum titanium, up to 0.05% strontium and the balance aluminum, where the weight ratio of manganese to iron is 1.2 to 1.75 or higher when the iron content is equal to or greater than 0.4% and the weight ratio of manganese to iron is at least 0.6 to 1.2 when the iron content is less than 0.4% of the alloy.

Abstract: A hydroelectric turbine anchored in a body of water which produces electricity directly from its housing. The turbine is in and of itself a generator whose housing is its stator and whose blade it its rotor.

Abstract: An aluminum alloy is disclosed that is suitable for casting and machining cylinder blocks for engines, especially gasoline fuel engines for automotive vehicles. The casting has the strength and wear resistance to piston/seal scuffing for such engines. The alloy comprises, by weight, 9.5 to 12.5% silicon, 0.1 to 1.5% iron, 1.5 to 4.5% copper, 0.2 to 3% manganese, 0.1 to 0.6% magnesium, 2.0% max zinc, 0 to 1.5% nickel, 0.25% maximum titanium, up to 0.05% strontium and the balance aluminum, where the weight ratio of manganese to iron is 1.2 to 1.75 or higher when the iron content is equal to or greater than 0.4% and the weight ratio of manganese to iron is at least 0.6 to 1.2 when the iron content is less than 0.4% of the alloy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for contaminant separation utilizes an interleaved array of oppositely charged electrode plates for fluid treatment. Spacing between the parallel electrode plates is graduated so that the volume of the cavities between the opposing electrodes provides varying levels of treatment of a broad range of contaminants from a variety of fluid columns. A fluid flow path extending substantially orthogonal to the direction of the electrical field established between opposing electrode plates provides a feed stream with exposure to the varying levels of electrical charges between the electrode plates. The method and apparatus provides an effective means of contaminant separation by a device having a small footprint and requiring low amounts of electrical energy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide fluid treatment at a plurality of distinct points using a length of energized magnetically conductive conduit in fluid communication with non-magnetic coupling devices. The instant invention prevents the formation and accumulation of contaminants within conduits and on equipment utilized in the transportation, delivery and processing of fluid columns. It may also be utilized to accelerate the separation of oil and water and increase the efficiency of oil/water separation equipment.

Abstract: Transaction ping-pong is selectively prevented in a bidirectional database replication system. The system has a plurality of nodes connected via communication media in a topology. Each node includes a database and a transaction transmitter or collector which sends transactions posted to the database to a database at one or more other nodes for replication in the databases of the one or more other nodes. All transactions to be posted to databases in remote nodes that were sent by a local node are detected, and the database at the local node is inhibited from posting selective transactions which were detected as being originally sent by the local node.

Abstract: A device for dispensing one or more active agents, the device including: a housing (112) having an opening; at least one active agent (118) located within the housing; a driving means (124) located within, or at the closed end of the housing, including an expandable material; and one or more permeable fluid conveying passage(s) adapted to convey fluid from outside the housing to the driving means.

Abstract: A sensor for use in machine wear debris monitoring transducers which detect metallic particles present in a flow of fluid, such as lubricating oil. The sensor comprises an inductive coil having a plurality of turns for surrounding a non-magnetic conduit. An electrically conducting screen is located between the coil and the flow of fluid, the coil being electrically insulated from the screen, so as to isolate capacitatively the contents of the conduit from the coil. The resonant frequency of a tank circuit incorporating the sensor is thus unaffected by changes in the dielectric properties of the contents of the conduit caused by air bubbles and/or water droplets in the flow of fluid. The screen may be a single turn of thin metal foil having a gap between adjacent ends, or a mesh, or a metallic coating sprayed onto the conduit.

Abstract: Unlocking of a vehicle door by insertion of implements other than the door key into the door is prevented by a guard housing within the door into which the key turnable inner end of the lock cylinder extends and which also encloses an otherwise vulnerable portion of the linkage which interconnects the lock cylinder and the door latching means. In a preferred form of the invention, the housing has an extension which extends below the lock cylinder and which is angled to extend to the outer shell of the door and then downward along the inner surface of the shell and which extends between the shell and the side impact beam of the door. The guard may secured in place by the same bolt that secures the handle assembly to the door and is wholly within and concealed by the door.

Abstract: A noise reducing material especially suitable for attaching to internal combustion engine casing parts and comprising (a) a layer of a metal such as lead combining a high density with a low shear modulus, bonded to (b) a layer of a pliant thermoplastics matrix reinforced with fibrous material. Layer (b) is preferably asbestos fiber-reinforced bitumen and the laminate preferably comprises a layer of lead between two layers of the reinforced thermoplastics material.