Abstract: An aircraft fuel tank ullage safety system (10) that is designed to maintain the fuel tank ullage (94) of an aircraft fuel tank (90) filled with nitrogen. The nitrogen prevents the fuel tank ullage (94) from becoming filled with flammable fuel fumes which can cause an explosion. The system (10) consists of at least one flexible, resilient, air-enclosing container (12) having a container ullage (50) that is dimensioned to substantially occupy the space of the fuel tank ullage (94), a differential pressure sensor (30) that determines the internal pressure of the aircraft's fuel tank (90) and a microcontroller (64) that controls and maintains the volume of the air-enclosing container (12) as determined by the differential pressure sensor (30).

Abstract: An aerosol spray can (12) that can only be operated when connected to an a-c utility power source provided by a power cord (50A) connected to an external activator (40). The can is modified by adding internally, a movable armature (19) that operates a valve assembly (16) connected to a spray head (20). When the armature is not energized by the attached activator (40), the valve assembly (16) remains in a closed position, preventing the flow of paint. Conversely, when the movable armature (19) is energized by the activator (40), the valve assembly (16) opens allowing paint to be sprayed when the spray head (20) is depressed.

Abstract: A fuel additive controlling and maintaining apparatus used to eliminate the loss of absorbed CO2 gas mixed into liquid hydrocarbon fuel and particularly diesel fuel. In addition to the gas-enriched fuel, a gastight bag is utilized for holding a stabilizing gas mixture of CO2 and air that is not absorbed in the fuel. This bag, which is located within a protective enclosure and is connected into the ullage of a fuel tank, via a conduit, has approximately the same volume as the fuel tank. A two product refueling means is provided so that gas-enriched fuel is delivered to the fuel tank and the CO2 gas is delivered to the gastight bag. During fuel usage, as the fuel tank ullage increases, the gas mixture from the gastight bag maintains the ullage in a substantially filled condition thus, allowing the fuel to remain gas-enriched.

Abstract: A system for reversibly rotating a shaft for operation of the control system in a covering for an architectural opening includes two relatively linearly moveable members at least one of which has a low friction component engaging a helical path on the other so that linear movement of the members causes relative rotation to drive the rotatable shaft of the control system.

Abstract: Apparatus for facilitating the mixing, absorption and/or retention of carbon dioxide ‘CO2’ in hydrocarbon fuel to economically produce a safety-enhanced and/or improved-combustion fuel. The apparatus includes at least one mixing receptacle having at least one coupling with a controllable inert gas supply; at least one coupling with a controllable hydrocarbon fuel supply; and at least one coupling with a CO2-enriched fuel fuel-line. The mixing receptacle(s) is configured to retain a volume of fuel and a volume of CO2 such that CO2-enriched fuel having a controllable gas-fuel ratio is the product of the mixing receptacle(s) and the gas of the ratio(s) exceeds 0.1 volume of CO2 per volume of fuel and is less than approximately 3 volumes per volume of fuel when conveyed from the receptacle(s). The apparatus controls the exposure of hydrocarbon fuel molecules to an optimal volume of CO2 within the receptacle(s).

Abstract: A safety-enhancing management system for storing, transporting, or transferring hydrocarbon fuel whereby inert gas conveyance provides hydrocarbon fuel receptacles with a combustion suppressing volume of inert gas which displaces potentially combustible fuel vapor/air mixtures which can otherwise collect in the ullages of such receptacles. In one embodiment the inert gas is readily stored, transported, and conveyed in an inert gas-enriched fuel that degasses inert gas from the fuel within one or more receiving receptacles ullage(s). In a second embodiment, a separate controllable supply of inert gas, such as carbon dioxide, is storable in one or more gas receptacle(s), in a gaseous or liquefied state.

Abstract: A system for reversibly rotating a shaft for operation of the control system in a covering for an architectural opening includes two relatively linearly moveable members at least one of which has a low friction component engaging a helical path on the other so that linear movement of the members causes relative rotation to drive the rotatable shaft of the control system.

Abstract: A utility-power operated tamper-proof pressurized spray can (10) which can only be operated when connected to a utility a-c Power source. Thus, its use to spray graffiti is prevented or at least minimized. The spray can (10) is presented in two design configurations. In the first design, a solenoid/valve assembly is mounted on the top cover of a spray can and on the second design the solenoid/valve assembly is located on the can's lower cover. The first design utilizes a housing (12) that encloses the solenoid/valve assembly which consists of an upper fixed armature (20), a moving armature (36) and a lower fixed armature (58). Between the upper fixed armature (20) and the moving armature (36) is inserted a compliant leaf (48) that functions as a valve. Around the housing (12) is removably attached an electric coil (86) that when connected to a utility a-c power source produces a magnetic field that is applied to the solenoid/valve assembly.

Abstract: A balance-shifted personal carriage (19) designed for physically challenged persons such as paraplegics confined to wheelchairs. The carriage (19) basically consists of a base frame assembly (13) that supports a seating assembly (15) a pair of free pivoting wheels (18) located in the front, a pair of steerable wheels (20) controlled by the rider and located in the back, and a centrally located power wheel (22) that is controlled by the rider. The balanced-shifted carriage (19) is operated in either of two modes of operation: in Mode 1, the rider shifts their weight backwards to allow the steerable wheels to contact the floor at which time the power wheel (2) is made to rotate to propel the carriage; in Mode 2, the rider shifts their weight forward to cause the steerable wheels (20)to rise and allow the pivoting wheels (12) to contact the floor allowing the rider to pivot and move the carriage away from an obstacle.

Abstract: A utility-power operated, tamper-proof pressurized spray can (12) that can only be operated when connected to a-c utility power. Thus, its use to spray graffiti is prevented or at the very least minimized. The preferred embodiment of the invention consists of a spray can (12) having a housing opening (12B) to which is hermetically attached a solenoid housing (14). The housing (14), encloses a standard spray control valve (18) having in series, a linear-motion solenoid assembly (22) consisting of a stationary armature (24), a movable armature (28) and an external, separable movable-armature activator (40). The stationary armature (24) is rigidly attached to the housing (12), has a lower guide tube bore (24H) therethrough and an upward facing spring cavity (24G) which retains a spring (26).

Abstract: An aerosol spray can (12) that can only be operated when connected to an a-c utility power source provided by a power cord (22) that includes a power-line activator (30). Thus, the use of an aerosol spray can (12) to spray graffiti is prevented or at least minimized. The can (12) is modified by attaching to its upper section (14) a valve attachment port (16) to which is attached a lower fluid port (86) located on a slide and twist valve (80). The valve (80) also includes an upper fluid port (84) having a check valve (88) that opens when a standard spray head (26) is depressed and a permanent magnet piston (90) having a fluid passage bore (96). When no power is applied, a compression spring (94) positions the piston (90) with the bore (96) misaligned in both a radial and longitudinal position that prevents the passage of the fluid.

Abstract: An optical system (10) that images a section of a textured surface and through non-symetrical optics creates a unique integrated image of its topology which allows specific identifications to be recorded and compared at a later date. A recording device (60) is mounted at the rear of a cylinder spread lens assembly (26) which in turn attaches to a lens support tube (28) that is clamped by a lens support assembly (50) that traverses along a vee-track (52). A spherical achromatic lens (24) images an illuminated surface (30) of the textured surface upon a cylinder spread lens (26b) which then presents a image to the detector/recording surface (34). The system (10) is initially located normal to the illuminated surface (30) at an acute illumination angle .phi..sub.1 for coarse positioning. An illuminated image line (32) for the acute angle .phi..sub.1 is supplied by a lamp (14) via a light mask (16) and a cylinder lens (22).

Abstract: A process is disclosed wherein at least two separate gaseous oxygen streams are passed into a coker transfer line to effect oxidation of a portion of the feed passing through the transfer line. Another aspect of the process is disclosed wherein gaseous oxygen is passed into a coking process and sludge is also passed into the coking process.

Abstract: The anti-theft device for use in a liquid storage tank having an opening in an upper wall of the tank for receiving and mounting an access fill pipe which receives therein a drop tube having an access port. The anti-theft device comprises a mounting ring; a plug; a truncated porous hollow cone having a larger upper end fixed to the mounting ring and a smaller lower end fixed to the plug which is disposed generally concentric with the elongate axis of the drop tube. The plug may also be provided with a shaped key-way opening to allow gauging of liquid contents of a storage tank with a gauge level stick. The mounting ring of the truncated porous hollow cone is attached to the drop tube within the access fill pipe at a point below the access port of the drop tube and above the upper wall of the storage tank. The key-way opening of the plug can be T-shaped, cross-shape, C-shape, or of a circular-shape.

Abstract: An autostereoscopic presentation system (10) that allows a perceived three-dimensional volumetric image (26) to be viewed without any viewing implements. The system (10), in its preferred embodiment, consists of an enhanced film strip (12) having first and second photographic frames (14), (18) where each frame consists of a two-dimensional optical image (16), (20) further having a conventional image (16a), (20a) and a matted image (16b), (20b). The film strip is back projected onto two stationary screens (30), (32) that are juxtaposed in planar separation and where each screen operates in either a translucent mode or a clear mode. A timing and synchronizing circuit (40) in combination with a pair of light responding circuits (48), (49) selects and controls the operational modes of the screens (30), (32) and synchronizes the screen operational modes with the respective alternating projection of the two-dimensional optical images (16), (20).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for propelling a borescope being used to inspect inaccessible areas comprises one or more reaction jets attached to the borescope, the reaction jets expelling gas, liquid or other fluids to produce a reaction thrust force on the borescope. In one embodiment, a reaction jet is fastened to the remote head of an articulateable borescope, and the propulsion direction is controlled by an operator who views a desired aim point at the output end of the borescope cable, and articulates the borescope head to point at the desired aim point. In another embodiment, the orientation of the thrust vector of the reaction jets is controllable, permitting an operator to control the direction of travel of a borescope not necessarily possessing an independent articulation capability.

Abstract: A sealing member capable of elastic deformations provides a seal from the atmosphere between the mouth of a fillpipe and a liquid dispensing nozzle having vapor recovery conduit means internal to the receptive fillpipe, typically for use with gasoline.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling the flame front during the in situ combustion of a subterranean carbonaceous stratum which involves monitoring the extent and movement of said flame front to determine the location of one or more segments of the flame front which exhibit unfavorable combustion characteristics, and injecting one or more gases into the vicinity of one or more of said segments to control and optimize the combustion in said segment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for controlling the flame front during the in situ combustion of a subterranean carbonaceous stratum which involves monitoring the extent and movement of said flame front to determine the location of one or more segments of the flame front which exhibit unfavorable combustion characteristics, and injecting one or more gases into the vicinity of one or more of said segments to control and optimize the combustion in said segment.

Abstract: A closed loop electronic system and method is disclosed for controlling the spark timing and knock condition in each cylinder separately of a spark ignition, multicylinder internal combustion engine.