Abstract: A high efficiency energy conversion system disclosed herein incorporates a piston assembly including a sealed cylinder for storing a working fluid and an energy conversion element attached to the piston assembly. A kinematic mechanism such as a cam lobe or a scotch yoke may be used as the energy conversion element. In one implementation, the kinematic mechanism may be configured to provide rapid piston expansion in a manner so as not to allow the expanding working fluid inside the piston to achieve thermodynamic equilibrium. In an alternate implementation, the kinematic mechanism is further adapted to generate a compression stroke in a manner to provide the working fluid inside the piston to achieve thermodynamic equilibrium conditions throughout the compression stroke.

Abstract: A high efficiency energy conversion system disclosed herein incorporates a piston assembly including a sealed cylinder for storing a working fluid and an energy conversion element attached to the piston assembly. A kinematic mechanism such as a cam lobe or a scotch yoke may be used as the energy conversion element. In one implementation, the kinematic mechanism may be configured to provide rapid piston expansion in a manner so as not to allow the expanding working fluid inside the piston to achieve thermodynamic equilibrium. In an alternate implementation, the kinematic mechanism is further adapted to generate a compression stroke in a manner to provide the working fluid inside the piston to achieve thermodynamic equilibrium conditions throughout the compression stroke.

Abstract: An insulative piston or piston cap creates a highly thermally resistive path in the axial direction of the piston or piston cap toward a crank case of an engine. An insulative cylinder is configured to be positioned around the insulative piston and adjacent an insulative cylinder head, and to provide thermal resistance in the cylinder's axial direction. The insulated cylinder head is configured to resist heat flow in the axial direction away from the crank case. High temperature insulation surrounding these structures is configured to resist heat flow out of a combustion chamber of the engine. These insulative components, together, form the fully insulated combustion chamber.

Abstract: A flashback-arresting shut-off valve is disclosed herein. Propellant is moved from a propellant reservoir, through the shut-off valve in an open configuration to a point of combustion in a normal propellant flow direction. During a flashback, the propellant is ignited within the propellant line and substantial physical/thermal energy caused by the flashback travels in the direction opposite to the normal propellant flow direction back to the shut-off valve. A burst member within the shut-off valve fails because of the flashback. Failure of the burst member causes compression on a spring-loaded portion of the shut-off valve to be released, thereby closing the shut-off valve and sealing the propellant reservoir from the flashback. Failure of the burst member also causes one or more pressure relief outlets to open that direct the physical/thermal energy and/or un-combusted/combusted propellant out and away from the shut-off valve.

Abstract: A fastener system mounts a pouch onto a shirt or other clothing article, wherein the pouch provides a receptacle aperture into which a fastener is placed with its flanges positioned on opposing sides of the aperture. The cloth to which the fastener is mounted is gripped between the fastener and the aperture and is locked into place by a U-shaped clip. The flanges are made oblong in shape so that the narrow orientation of the flanges easily pass through the aperture, but the longer orientation cannot. Flats may be applied to both aperture and the fastener so as to assure an orientation in use wherein the fastener cannot disengage from the pouch.

Abstract: The realty sign lighting and display assembly includes a generally inverted U-shaped housing which fits over the horizontal arm of a realty sign, a lock releasably holding the bracket to the arm, with or without springs spacing the bracket from the arm. The solar panel is connected to a storage battery, in turn connected to lights, all borne by the light assembly which also carries a light-responsive switch and timer so that the lights operate only at a suitable low light level. The assembly can be provided in kit form or fully connected together, is light in weight and is fully portable and efficient.