Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing the liquid content of a particulate/liquid dispersion, such as a sewage sludge or mine tailings, are described. The apparatus comprises containment means to contain the material, and means to apply pressure to the contained material therein, the containment means being partly defined by a first filtration membrane permeable to the liquid but impermeable to at least some and more preferably substantially all of the solids contained within the material, in particular configured as a continuous belt press. The filtration membrane comprises a textile or other synthetic material in intimate association with a conducting element so as to constitute where so associated a first electrode. A second sheet material, preferably also a filtration membrane, is similarly associated with a conducting element so as to constitute a second electrode to allow application of a potential difference across the material and drive the dewatering process electrokinetically.

Abstract: A method for modifying cranial electrical potentials utilizes an electrical lead having first and second electrodes. The electrical lead may also include either a resistive component for increasing the resistance of the electrical lead, or a diode for restricting the flow of electricity through the lead to a single direction. The electrical lead is attached between skin surface areas of a human head, such as between ears, or an ear and an area of the scalp or forehead. Preferably, two electrical leads are utilized, one lead extending from a left ear to a right portion of the head, and the other electrical lead extending from the right ear to the left portion of the head. Scalp electrical potentials are altered in a passive manner resulting in beneficial effects on a variety of psychiatric disorders and brain functioning.

Abstract: An aircraft includes a fuselage with a circular airfoil body supported thereabove on a vertical drive shaft mechanism. The airfoil body includes an upper disk forming an upper surface of the body and a lower disk forming a lower surface of the body in which the upper and lower disks are supported at a fixed spacing on the vertical drive shaft mechanism for counter-rotation. Vanes are supported in both the upper and lower disks which are movable between a takeoff position in which the vanes are supported in respective openings in the disk for diverting air downwardly through the openings in the disks as the disks are rotated and a cruising position in which a surface of the vanes are continuous with the respective upper and lower surfaces of the bodies.

Abstract: A pressure control system for controlling the pressure of a process fluid stream at a certain location having a pressure regulator disposed in the process fluid stream, through which the process fluid stream flows. A first pilot controller senses the pressure of the process fluid at the location and receives a control pressure from a control source. A second pilot controller receives the control pressure from the control source and provides added pressure. An inspirator receives the added pressure from the second pilot controller and generates a differential pressure. The differential pressure is used to control the pressure of the process fluid stream within the pressure regulator. The pressure regulator comprises a first chamber and a second chamber therein separated by a flexible element and a divider is disposed in the first chamber and operative to abut against the flexible element to divide the first chamber into separate spaces.

Abstract: A conditionable particulate substrate structure, and in particular a growing medium suitable for the growth of vegetable matter in a surface layer, is described. The structure has a particulate base of soil or the like, a generally planar electrokinetic geosynthetic upper electrode disposed generally horizontally in a surface layer of the particulate base; a lower electrode disposed within the base generally underneath and parallel to the upper electrode, and means to connect an electrical power source between the two electrodes to apply a potential difference thereacross to drive an electro-osmotic process and thus to alter the moisture level in the vicinity of the upper electrode and further to generate gas at the upper electrode. A method for conditioning a substrate, and a method for the creation of a conditioned substrate, are also described.

Abstract: A water driven turbine has a divergent cone coupled to the exit end of the housing in which diameter of the cone increases with increasing distance from the exit end of the housing. A diverter formed of rigid material surrounds the free end of the cone and defines an annular space therebetween through which a flow of water passes to accelerate the flow exiting the turbine housing. The diverter is shorter in the length than the divergent cone and longitudinally overlaps the divergent cone. The diverter also has straight walls which are sloped to extend in the longitudinal direction away from the exit end of the housing at an inward incline between the leading end and the trailing end thereof.

Abstract: A pressure control system for controlling the pressure of a process fluid stream at a certain location, comprising: a pressure regulator disposed in the process fluid stream, through which the process fluid stream flows; a first pilot controller adapted to sense the pressure of the process fluid at the said location and receive a control pressure from a control source; a second pilot controller adapted to receive same control pressure from the control source and provide added pressure; an inspirator adapted to receive the added pressure from the second pilot controller and generate a differential pressure; wherein the differential pressure is used to control the pressure of the process fluid stream within the pressure regulator. The pressure regulator comprises a first chamber and a second chamber therein separated by a flexible element and a divider is disposed in the first chamber and operative to abut against the flexible element to divide the first chamber into separate spaces.

Abstract: A method for modifying cranial electrical potentials utilizes an electrical lead having first and second electrodes. The electrical lead may also include either a resistive component for increasing the resistance of the electrical lead, or a diode for restricting the flow of electricity through the lead to a single direction. The electrical lead is attached between skin surface areas of a human head, such as between ears, or an ear and an area of the scalp or forehead. Preferably, two electrical leads are utilized, one lead extending from a left ear to a right portion of the head, and the other electrical lead extending from the right ear to the left portion of the head. Scalp electrical potentials are altered in a passive manner resulting in beneficial effects on a variety of psychiatric disorders and brain functioning.