Abstract: A vortex reactor is provided. The vortex reactor includes a substantially cylindrical shaped portion forming a reaction chamber therein, wherein said substantially cylindrical shaped portion forms a first charged electrode; a circumferential flow apparatus fluidly connected to the reaction chamber for creating a circumferential fluid flow; a second charged electrode; and an outlet for releasing said circumferential fluid flow. Also provided are methods of processing particulate solids using the vortex reactor of the invention.

Abstract: A vortex reactor is provided. The vortex reactor includes a reaction chamber formed by a frustum-shaped portion, the narrower part of which is downwardly oriented. Proximate to the narrower part of the frustum-shaped portion, the vortex reactor includes apparatus for creating an axial gas flow and apparatus for creating a circumferential gas flow. The vortex reactor also includes a particulate solid inlet for feeding particulate solids to the reaction chamber. The vortex reactor may optionally include apparatus for generating plasma in the reaction chamber by providing a gliding arc electrical discharge in the reaction chamber. Also provided is a method of processing particulate solids using the vortex reactor of the invention. A reverse vortex plasma reactor (TSAPG) is also provided.

Abstract: A plasma reactor (10) is provided. The plasma reactor (10) includes a reaction chamber (12) formed by a wall (13). Proximate to the first end of the reaction chamber, the plasma reactor includes a feed gas inlet (14) for creating a reverse vortex gas flow (16) in the reaction chamber. The plasma reactor (10) also includes an anode and a cathode connected to a power source for generation of an electric arc for plasma generation in said reaction chamber. The plasma reactor (10) may optionally include a movable electrode adapted for movement from a first, ignition position to a second, operational position in the reaction chamber. Also provided is a method of converting light hydrocarbons to hydrogen-rich gas, using the plasma reactor of the invention.

Abstract: A plasma reactor (10) is provided. The plasma reactor (10) includes a reaction chamber (12) formed by a wall (13). Proximate to the first end of the reaction chamber, the plasma reactor includes a feed gas inlet (14) for creating a reverse vortex gas flow (16) in the reaction chamber. The plasma reactor (10) also includes an anode and a cathode connected to a power source for generation of an electric arc for plasma generation in said reaction chamber. The plasma reactor (10) may optionally include a movable electrode adapted for movement from a first, ignition position to a second, operational position in the reaction chamber. Also provided is a method of converting light hydrocarbons to hydrogen-rich gas, using the plasma reactor of the invention.

Abstract: In a gearwheel mechanism for driving a secondary unit such as a fuel pump driven via the gear wheel mechanism by a primary unit, a driven gear mounted on the secondary unit is provided with a positioning element including sections covering teeth areas of the driven gear so that those sections cannot be engaged with a driving gear of the primary unit during mounting of the secondary unit, and in a pump having a gear provided with such a positioning element as wells as an internal combustion engine including a pump with a gear provided with a positioning element.

Abstract: In a spur gear drive for driving the camshaft of an overhead valve internal combustion engine wherein drive power is transmitted from the crankshaft to the camshaft via spur gears mounted on the crankshaft and the camshaft which is rotatably supported on the cylinder head, a third, intermediate, gear is adjustably supported in the power train between engine block-mounted gears and cylinder head-mounted gears so that changes in the distance between the crankshaft and the camshaft can be accommodated and, with the use of smaller gears, the spur gear drive becomes smaller and lighter overall.

Abstract: In a two-part gear wheel, including a first spur gear ring which is connected to a hub and a second spur gear ring which is rotatable relative to the first spur gear ring, annular spring elements are provided biasing the spur gear rings in opposite rotational directions. The ends of the two annular spring elements are in engagement with the spur gear ring and the hub at locations spaced circumferentially by about 180° so that the spring forces effective on the second spur gear ring compensate each other circumferentially.

Abstract: In a gearwheel mechanism for driving a secondary unit such as a fuel pump driven via the gear wheel mechanism by a primary unit, a driven gear mounted on the secondary unit is provided with a positioning element including sections covering teeth areas of the driven gear so that those sections cannot be engaged with a driving gear of the primary unit during mounting of the secondary unit, and in a pump having a gear provided with such a positioning element as wells as an internal combustion engine including a pump with a gear provided with a positioning element.

Abstract: A viscous fluid clutch (1) for use as a clutch for a cooling fan for a vehicle, the clutch includes an input shaft (10), a rotor assembly (20, 30), a first housing portion (52), a second housing portion (42), a coil assembly (80), and a brush box (105). The rotor assembly is coupled to the input shaft. The first housing portion is coupled to the second housing portion and the second housing portion is rotatably disposed on the input shaft. The first and second housing portions define a fluid reservoir (16) for receiving the rotor assembly and a viscous fluid, preferably of the magnetorheological type. The coil assembly is coupled to the first housing portion. The brush box is operably coupled to the coil assembly. When the coil assembly is energized by the brush box, a magnetic field is created that acts upon the magnetorheological fluid to vary the torque transfer of the input shaft to the housing and the fan connected thereto.

Abstract: Novel compounds are provided which are 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I inhibitors. 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I inhibitors are useful in treating, preventing, or slowing the progression of diseases requiring 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type I inhibitor therapy. These novel compounds have the structure: or stereoisomers or prodrugs or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein R1, R2 and R3 are defined herein.

Abstract: A viscous fluid clutch (1) for use as a clutch for a cooling fan for a vehicle, the clutch includes an input shaft (10), a rotor assembly (20, 30), a first housing portion (52), a second housing portion (42), a coil assembly (80), and a brush box (105). The rotor assembly is coupled to the input shaft. The first housing portion is coupled to the second housing portion and the second housing portion is rotatably disposed on the input shaft. The first and second housing portions define a fluid reservoir (16) for receiving the rotor assembly and a viscous fluid, preferably of the magnetorheological type. The coil assembly (80) is coupled to the first housing portion (52). The brush box is operably coupled to the coil assembly. When the coil assembly is energized by the brush box, a magnetic field is created that acts upon the magnetorheological fluid to vary the torque transfer of the input shaft to the housing and the fan connected thereto.

Abstract: A vortex reactor is provided. The vortex reactor includes a reaction chamber formed by a frustum-shaped portion, the narrower part of which is downwardly oriented. Proximate to the narrower part of the frustum-shaped portion, the vortex reactor includes apparatus for creating an axial gas flow and apparatus for creating a circumferential gas flow. The vortex reactor also includes a particulate solid inlet for feeding particulate solids to the reaction chamber. The vortex reactor may optionally include apparatus for generating plasma in the reaction chamber by providing a gliding arc electrical discharge in the reaction chamber. Also provided is a method of processing particulate solids using the vortex reactor of the invention. A reverse vortex plasma reactor (TSAPG) is also provided.

Abstract: Bi-planar coil assemblies are disclosed which have DSV's whose centers are offset by distances D from the origins of x,y,z-coordinate systems, where said origins of x,y,z-coordinate systems are coincident with the geometric centers of the coils. The distances D can be of the order of 10-20 centimeters or more. The bi-planar coil assemblies can be used in MRI applications to reduce the feeling of claustrophobia experienced by some subjects. The assemblies also can facilitate the imaging of various joints, including the wrist, elbow, ankle, or knee.

Abstract: A plasma reactor (10) is provided. The plasma reactor (10) includes a reaction chamber (12) formed by a wall (13). Proximate to the first end of the reaction chamber, the plasma reactor includes a feed gas inlet (14) for creating a reverse vortex gas flow (16) in the reaction chamber. The plasma reactor (10) also includes an anode and a cathode connected to a power source for generation of an electric arc for plasma generation in said reaction chamber. The plasma reactor (10) may optionally include a movable electrode adapted for movement from a first, ignition position to a second, operational position in the reaction chamber. Also provided is a method of converting light hydrocarbons to hydrogen-rich gas, using the plasma reactor of the invention.

Abstract: A method for abatement of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in an exhaust gas stream is disclosed. That method comprises passing an exhaust gas stream (40) through a pulsed corona discharge chamber (10) in the presence of flowing water (30) to form one or more oxidation products that dissolve in the water and provide an effluent water stream (42) containing the oxidized VOC and an effluent gas stream (32) having a deleted amount of VOC. The pulsed corona discharges at a rate of about 0.01 to about 2 kHz. The ratio of the water spray rate to the exhaust gas flow is about 0.2 milliliters/minute at one standard liter per minute of exhaust gas flow, and an expenditure of not more than 50 eV per molecule of VOC is utilized. The method provides a destruction and removal efficiency of about 90 percent or more.

Abstract: An engine working fluid circuit for a turbocharged internal combustion engine that employs exhaust gas recirculation. The working fluid circuit includes an exhaust gas passage, a charge air passage, and a turbocharger operatively driven by the exhaust gas flowing from the internal combustion engine and acting to provide pressurized air to the charged air passage. An exhaust gas recirculation passage extends between the exhaust gas passage and the charge air passage bypassing the turbo charger and providing a path for recirculating a predetermined amount of exhaust gas into the charge air. A single charge air cooler is also included that has a first manifold assembly, a second manifold assembly, and a plurality of cooling passages disposed therebetween. The cooling passages act to cool the mixed charge air and recirculated exhaust gas prior to induction into the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: Asymmetric tesseral coils and sets for magnetic resonance applications are provided. Also provided are methods for designing such coils, as well as coils generating arbitrary field profiles. In certain embodiments, the coils are rigorously constrained to have finite dimensions.

Abstract: Asymmetric tesseral coils and sets for magnetic resonance applications are provided. Also provided are methods for designing such coils, as well as coils generating arbitrary field profiles. In certain embodiments, the coils are rigorously constrained to have finite dimensions.

Abstract: Asymmetric zonal shim coils and shim sets for magnetic resonance applications are provided. Also provided are Fourier-series based methods for designing such coils as well as symmetric coils.

Abstract: A method of generating hydrogen and hydrocarbons utilizing superadiabatic combustion is disclosed.