Abstract: A combustible fluid-operated orbital engine having sets of cooperating cylinder and piston members with respective parallel axes of rotation. Respective cylinder and piston carrier wheels with respective axes of rotation parallel to the piston/cylinder axes of rotation carrying the pistons/cylinders orbitally and at all times in opposed relation on a common longitudinal axis along intersecting counter paths. Redundant belts/sprockets supported by the cylinder and piston carrier wheels rotate the pistons/cylinders counter to their circular motion direction to maintain their opposed relation for their periodic interfittment when their respective paths intersect. A combustible fluid supply is provided to the cylinder member for combustion coincident with the periodic interfittment. An air supply is provided to the cylinder member for purging exhaust gases and/or supercharging combustion gases.

Abstract: Systems and methods to supply water to plants in a direct and efficient manner by employing aboveground plumbing to individual plants, but not allowing the water to be dispersed aboveground. The water is directed to an underground container or cartridge assembly that dispenses the water through a dissipater (e.g., wick) into the surrounding soil. The cartridge assembly of the underground irrigation system may be installed in-line with supply water lines and deep enough that the dispersed water does not return near the surface which allows for working the soil over the underground irrigation system. Each of the cartridge assemblies of the underground irrigation system may be installed in line between two plants in a narrow trench at a depth of approximately 6 to 12 inches (e.g., 8 inches), so that each end of each cartridge assembly supplies water to one side of one of the two plants.

Abstract: A combustible fluid-operated orbital engine having sets of cooperating cylinder and piston members with respective parallel axes of rotation. Respective cylinder and piston carrier wheels with respective axes of rotation parallel to the piston/cylinder axes of rotation carrying the pistons/cylinders circularly and orbitally and at all times in opposed relation on a common longitudinal axis along intersecting counter paths. Respective gearing structures or belts/sprockets supported by the cylinder and piston carrier wheels rotate the pistons/cylinders counter to their circular motion direction to maintain their opposed relation for their periodic interfittment when their respective paths intersect. A combustible fluid supply is provided to the cylinder member for combustion coincident with the periodic interfittment in engine operating relation. The pistons/cylinders may include ceramic material. The compression sealing system is located in the entry of each cylinder rather than being connected to the piston.

Abstract: A combustible fluid-operated orbital engine having sets of cooperating cylinder and piston members with respective parallel axes of rotation. Respective cylinder and piston carrier wheels with respective axes of rotation parallel to the piston/cylinder axes of rotation carrying the pistons/cylinders circularly and orbitally and at all times in opposed relation on a common longitudinal axis along intersecting counter paths. Respective gearing structures or belts/sprockets supported by the cylinder and piston carrier wheels rotate the pistons/cylinders counter to their circular motion direction to maintain their opposed relation for their periodic interfittment when their respective paths intersect. A combustible fluid supply is provided to the cylinder member for combustion coincident with the periodic interfittment in engine operating relation. The pistons/cylinders may include ceramic material. The compression sealing system is located in the entry of each cylinder rather than being connected to the piston.

Abstract: A combustible fluid operated orbital engine has plural sets of cooperating cylinder and piston members with respective parallel axes of rotation, respective cylinder and piston carrier wheels with respective axes of rotation parallel to the members' axes of rotation carrying said members circularly and orbitally and at all times in opposed relation on a common longitudinal axis along intersecting counter paths. Respective gearing structures supported by the cylinder and piston carrier wheels rotate the members counter to their circular motion direction to maintain their opposed relation for their periodic interfittment when their respective paths intersect. A combustible fluid supply is provided to the cylinder member for combustion coincident with the periodic interfittment in engine operating relation. The common longitudinal axes of the cylinder/piston sets are at all times parallel with each other.

Abstract: A combustible fluid operated engine free of lost momentum during piston reciprocation has respective series of cylinders and pistons on counter-rotating carrier wheels. Fuel is injected into the cylinders from the pistons. The carrier wheels are variably spaced relatively to vary the combustible fuel compression. The power output is variable.

Abstract: For detecting strains or breaks in the surface of a boat hull or other structure, the surface is covered with non-intersecting lengths of tape adhered to the surface. The tape has an inner strip of conductive elastomer and an outer strip of the same material, and between them a corrugated layer of copper foil. Both strips and the foil are insulated from each other and the outside. The strips and foil layer are connected to electrical resistance and capacitance measuring devices, which monitor any changes in the electrical properties of the tape lengths, caused by strain or breaking of the surface. Because of the corrugations, the foil will not change its resistance when the tape is elongated or compressed.

Abstract: A universal swimming pool water filter apparatus for a bottom opening tank comprising multiply useful dual reverse flow port means and cooperating filter medium support having various filtered water passing openings arranged to accommodate fixed cloth or free particulate filtering media, the port means flow being varied with the type of filtering medium support so that a minimum of different production parts are needed to meet all filtering needs, with a consequent reduction in manufacturing equipment and parts inventory.