Abstract: A method of processing a heterogeneous material includes entraining heterogeneous particles into a fluid stream. Each of the heterogeneous particles comprises a liquid portion and a solid portion. The fluid stream is passed through at least one adjustable nozzle, and is impacted to dissociate the liquid from the solid. A method of separating oil from solid particles includes mixing oil-coated solid particles with water to form a slurry, passing a first portion of the slurry through a first nozzle, and passing a second portion of the slurry through a second nozzle such that the second portion of the slurry intersects the first portion of the slurry to separate the oil from the particles.

Abstract: A method of processing a heterogeneous material includes entraining heterogeneous particles into a fluid stream. Each of the heterogeneous particles comprises a liquid portion and a solid portion. The fluid stream is passed through at least one adjustable nozzle, and is impacted to dissociate the liquid from the solid. A method of separating oil from solid particles includes mixing oil-coated solid particles with water to form a slurry, passing a first portion of the slurry through a first nozzle, and passing a second portion of the slurry through a second nozzle such that the second portion of the slurry intersects the first portion of the slurry to separate the oil from the particles.

Abstract: A system for processing a heterogeneous material includes a conduit for a pressurized fluid and a nozzle assembly in fluid communication with the conduit. The nozzle assembly includes a plurality of adjustable nozzles configured such that fluid streams passing through each nozzle intersect at an oblique angle after passing through the nozzles. At least one of the fluid streams comprises a heterogeneous material. A method of processing a heterogeneous material includes entraining heterogeneous particles into at least one fluid stream, passing the fluid stream through an adjustable nozzle, impacting the fluid stream with another fluid stream at an oblique angle to ablate the heterogeneous particles, and classifying the heterogeneous particles.

Abstract: A system for processing a heterogeneous material includes a conduit for a pressurized fluid and a nozzle assembly in fluid communication with the conduit. The nozzle assembly includes a plurality of adjustable nozzles configured such that streams of heterogeneous material passing through each nozzle intersect after passing through the adjustable nozzles. Another system includes a conduit for a pressurized fluid, a nozzle assembly, and a separation system configured to separate particles of a heterogeneous material into a first fraction and a second fraction. The nozzle assembly includes an adjustable nozzle configured such that a stream of the heterogeneous material passing through the nozzle contacts a surface after passing through the nozzle.

Abstract: A system for processing a heterogeneous material includes a conduit for a pressurized fluid and a nozzle assembly in fluid communication with the conduit. The nozzle assembly includes a plurality of adjustable nozzles configured such that streams of heterogeneous material passing through each nozzle intersect after passing through the adjustable nozzles. Another system includes a conduit for a pressurized fluid, a nozzle assembly, and a separation system configured to separate particles of a heterogeneous material into a first fraction and a second fraction. The nozzle assembly includes an adjustable nozzle configured such that a stream of the heterogeneous material passing through the nozzle contacts a surface after passing through the nozzle.

Abstract: A technique for measuring mechanical force by exploiting the static electric polarization developed by piezoid elements in response to application of mechanical pressure, the magnitude of the polarization being representative of the magnitude of the mechanical force applied to one or more piezoid elements by disposing the piezoid elements adjacent to an electron transmission medium capable of sustaining an electric field internally, in which the polarization developed by the piezoid elements repel particles of like charge from the adjacent surface of the transmission medium and attract particles of opposite charge to the adjacent surface. By supplying a current of charged particles to one end of the transmission medium and separately collecting the charged particles toward different surfaces of the transmission medium, the strength of the polarization, which is representative of the strength of the applied mechanical forces, can be measured.

Abstract: A mechanism for providing motive power consisting of a plurality of rotary-type pistons fitted into chambers uniformly situated about the axis of the engine in a housing for improving the effective displacement and compression of such engines. Motive forces generated by the pressure exerted on the piston are transferred from the cylinders through operative pins projecting axially from each of the pistons. The operative pins engage tracks in a guide plates. Due to the shape of the operative pins and tracks in the guide plate, the resultant forces generated between the operative pins and the guide plate cause the housing to rotate relative to the guide plate, generating torque. Thrust layers are provided which have involutes to introduce fuel and other fluids into the piston chambers and to remove exhaust fluids from the chambers. Cover plates are also provided to prevent the introduction and removal of fluids from the chambers from interfering with the transfer of power to the guide plates.