Abstract: A floating cabin or cockpit for a marine vessel to achieve smooth rides in rough seas when traveling at high speeds. In response to vessel speed, the cabin is aerodynamically lifted and suspended between upper and lower limits. The cabin includes a wing structure for aerodynamic lift; a suspension and tethering mechanism interconnecting the cabin with a hull structure of the vessel to allow substantially free, unimpeded vertical, lateral and/or longitudinal excursions of the cabin between predefined limits when underway at high speeds; and a helm station to control the vessel and/or orientation of the cabin when freely floating. A multi-wing structure may provide addition lifting force and/or spring biasing may be provided to reduce aerodynamic lifting requirements for heavy cabin loads. The invention also helps to reduce vessel displacement, which improves fuel economy.

Abstract: An anti-friction slip plate for mounting on a hull of a marine vessel to reduce skin friction drag by acoustically generating microcavitation bubbles at a wetted area of the hull. The slip plate comprises a plate-like enclosure, an energy extraction mechanism to extract power from water current flowing along the hull when underway, a power generator driven by the energy extraction mechanism to produce electrical power, an acoustic signal generator powered by the power generator to produce an acoustic signal, and a series of transducers excited by the acoustic signal to effect emission of acoustic waves that produce cavitation bubbles in the wetted area. A bottom surface of the slip plate serves as an acoustic diaphragm to impart cavitation bubbles at the wetted area interface.

Abstract: An anti-friction slip plate for mounting on a hull of a marine vessel to reduce skin friction drag by acoustically generating microcavitation bubbles at a wetted area of the hull. The slip plate comprises a plate-like enclosure, an energy extraction mechanism to extract power from water current flowing along the hull when underway, a power generator driven by the energy extraction mechanism to produce electrical power, an acoustic signal generator powered by the power generator to produce an acoustic signal, and a series of transducers excited by the acoustic signal to effect emission of acoustic waves that produce cavitation bubbles in the wetted area. A bottom surface of the slip plate serves as an acoustic diaphragm to impart cavitation bubbles at the wetted area interface.

Abstract: A marine vessel comprising a hull having a wetted area when underway on a surface of a body of water, a series of spaced transducer sections positioned in the wetted area of the hull, and an acoustic generator to energize the transducers to produce acoustic waves having an intensity sufficient to nucleate cavitation upon cavitation nuclei suspended in the water medium. Suspended cavitation nuclei include entrained gases, particulate matter, microbubbles formed from wind-blown breaking waves, and/or phase-boundaries at gas-water or solid-water interfaces in the water medium. The intensity, duty cycle and/or frequency of the acoustic waves are determined and/or regulated according to water conditions to produce microcavitation bubbles in the boundary layer between fifty and two hundred microns in size or to optimally reduce drag. An operator or controller may dynamically regulate the frequency, intensity, and/or duty cycle of acoustic waves according to vessel speed and/or sea surface conditions.

Abstract: A floating cabin or cockpit for a marine vessel to achieve smooth rides in rough seas when traveling at high speeds. In response to vessel speed, the cabin is aerodynamically lifted and suspended between upper and lower limits. The cabin includes a wing structure for aerodynamic lift; a suspension and tethering mechanism interconnecting the cabin with a hull structure of the vessel to allow substantially free, unimpeded vertical, lateral and/or longitudinal excursions of the cabin between predefined limits when underway at high speeds; and a helm station to control the vessel and/or orientation of the cabin when freely floating. A multi-wing structure may provide addition lifting force and/or spring biasing may be provided to reduce aerodynamic lifting requirements for heavy cabin loads. The invention also helps to reduce vessel displacement, which improves fuel economy.

Abstract: An apparatus of reducing skin friction drag on a marine hull comprising imparting ultrasonically-induced cavitation at a boundary layer at the hull-water interface. The apparatus includes a sonification plate on at least a portion of a wettable area of the hull to establish a boundary layer interface between the sonification plate and the water medium, and an acoustic generator for energizing the sonification plate to produce microcavitation bubbles at the boundary layer interface whereby to alter the Reynolds number, kinematic viscosity, and coefficient of friction. The sonification plate is hermetically sealed and includes an array of ultrasonic transducers, which may be mounted on an interior or exterior surface of the hull. The energizing nucleates microcavitation bubbles upon entrained gases and/or particulate matter residing in the water medium.

Abstract: An apparatus of reducing skin friction drag on a marine hull comprising imparting ultrasonically-induced cavitation at a boundary layer at the hull-water interface. The apparatus includes a sonification plate on at least a portion of a wettable area of the hull to establish a boundary layer interface between the sonification plate and the water medium, and an acoustic generator for energizing the sonification plate to produce microcavitation bubbles at the boundary layer interface whereby to alter the Reynolds number, kinematic viscosity, and coefficient of friction. The sonification plate is hermetically sealed and includes an array of ultrasonic transducers, which may be mounted on an interior or exterior surface of the hull. The energizing nucleates microcavitation bubbles upon entrained gases and/or particulate matter residing in the water medium.

Abstract: A marine vessel comprising a hull having a wetted area when underway on a surface of a body of water, a series of spaced transducer sections positioned in the wetted area of the hull, and an acoustic generator to energize the transducers to produce acoustic waves having an intensity sufficient to nucleate cavitation upon cavitation nuclei suspended in the water medium. Suspended cavitation nuclei include entrained gases, particulate matter, microbubbles formed from wind-blown breaking waves, and/or phase-boundaries at gas-water or solid-water interfaces in the water medium. The intensity, duty cycle and/or frequency of the acoustic waves are determined and/or regulated according to water conditions to produce microcavitation bubbles in the boundary layer between fifty and two hundred microns in size or to optimally reduce drag. An operator or controller may dynamically regulate the frequency, intensity, and/or duty cycle of acoustic waves according to vessel speed and/or sea surface conditions.

Abstract: A method of reducing skin friction drag on a marine hull comprising imparting ultrasonically-induced cavitation at a boundary layer at the hull-water interface. The includes providing a sonification plate on at least a portion of a wettable area of the hull to establish a boundary layer interface between the sonification plate and the water medium, and energizing the sonification plate to produce microcavitation bubbles at the boundary layer interface whereby to alter the Reynolds number, kinematic viscosity, and coefficient of friction. The sonification plate is hermetically sealed and includes an array of ultrasonic transducers, which may be mounted on an interior or exterior surface of the hull. The energizing step nucleates microcavitation bubbles upon entrained gases and/or particulate matter residing in the water medium.

Abstract: An apparatus to reduce skin friction drag on a marine hull by imparting ultrasonically-induced cavitation at a boundary layer of a hull-water interface. The apparatus comprises a sonification plate mounted or adapted to be mounted on at least a portion of a wettable area of the hull (interior or exterior) to define a boundary layer region with the water medium, a power source to energize the sonification plate, and a controller to regulate the frequency and/or intensity of microcavitation bubbles produced at the boundary layer whereby to alter the Reynolds number, kinematic viscosity, and coefficient of friction. The sonification plate is hermetically sealed and includes an array of ultrasonic transducers therein, which may be mounted on all or a portion of the hull. Energizing the transducers nucleates microcavitation bubbles upon entrained gases and/or particulate matter residing in the water medium.

Abstract: A compact cooking appliance, such a portable grill or oven, has a cooking region, a firebox disposed laterally rather than beneath the cooking region to generate heated gases, a heat exchanger disposed in heat-exchanging relationship with the heated gases, a blower or fan that circulates heated air within the cooking region, and a thermoelectric converter that derives power from the heat produced to power the blower. Instead of a heat exchanger, fuel gases may be directly vented into the cooking region. A controller may control the temperature and/or other operating conditions of the appliance. A method of cooking comprises providing a cooking region, generating heated gases, circulating heated air between a heat exchanger and the cooking region, thermoelectrically converting heat derived from the heated gases into power, and circulating the heated air using the thermoelectrically generated power. The appliance may also be battery-powered.

Abstract: A temperature-controlled charcoal barbecue grill comprises a housing, a charcoal-fired chamber, a cooking region, a cover or lid substantially enclosing the cooking region and charcoal-fired chamber, and a temperature control module that controls temperature in the cooking region using either a mechanical shutter to control radiant energy exposure or an arrangement of fans to displace or circulate air. Preferably, the grill includes a power converter that converts heat to electrical energy to power the control module and associated accessories such as a series of vent fans that supply and exhaust the cooking region, a charcoal blower fan to help oxidize burning charcoal, and an internal circulation fan to help maintain an even temperature distribution within the cooking region. Audible and visual indicators may also indicate various predetermined conditions during operation and control cycles of the grill. Corresponding methods of control are also disclosed.

Abstract: Detachable legs and side handles for a portable barbecue grill that interlock with each side of a barbecue grill wherein the grill has a flexible base to provide self-leveling of the legs. The leg members, among other things, provide stability against rearward tipping of the grill, provide both a stop to restrict opening of the grill's side panels and rotation of the grill lid or dome, and provide an elongated handle spanning the approximate range of the grill's front-to-ear center of gravity. Also, an alternative handle or side shelf may be held in position by friction clamping or complementary interlocking pins/receptacles after clamping the legs to the sides of the grill. The detachable legs may take on a variety of other shapes, including an inverted U-shape, trapezoidal, partial parallelogram, or a combination thereof. The leg assembly is also segmented so that they fit inside the grill for portability, storage, or shipment.

Abstract: A cooking container such as a pot, skillet or deep fryer is geometrically shaped to lie upon and to optimally extract heat from the firebox of a vertical hearth barbecue grill. The container has a bottom heat extraction surface that lie directly over the fuel source and that spans horizontally across the top portion of the firebox to receive direct convection heating. The container hooks onto a frontal surface of the firebox and includes a heat transfer/absorbing panel that is inclined according to any inclination of the firebox to receive at least a combination of direct convection and radiant heating, e.g., direct and indirect heating. A layer of copper may be placed on or embedded within the side and bottom panels of the container to disperse heat more evenly. Heat transfer surfaces of the container may be corrugated or otherwise expanded in area to enhance extraction of heat from the source.

Abstract: An improvement useful with a portable or backyard-type barbecue grill that is used outdoors in backyards, camping, picnicking, or boating where hot water, steam, or power is not readily or conveniently available. Waste heat provides on-demand hot water and/or power. The improvement includes providing a water tank or a heat exchanger in heat transfer proximity of the grill's heat source, an opening in the tank or heat exchanger to receive water, a discharge tube to deliver hot water, and optionally a valve to control or dispense hot water. A method of producing hot water or generating power from waste heat comprises providing a tank and/or heat exchanger, filling the tank and/or heat exchanger with water or other fluid, subjecting the tank and/or heat exchanger to a source of heat in the barbecue grill, and extracting hot water or converting pressurized steam (or other fluid) to mechanical or electrical power.

Abstract: An educational and stress-relieving screen saver for exhibiting artists and their artworks on a computer monitor. The screen saver includes a plurality of compressed artist introductory files and image files of the works of art of the artists. Files are segmented or identified according to artist groups wherein different groups may be selected or deselected for display, or added or deleted from the screen saver. During operation, routines are called for decompressing files and displaying artist's likeness and their works according to groups. A transition module is provided which includes a plurality of different effects which are called in a random or pseudo-random fashion to provide a variety of soothing and stress-relieving image transitions. Means are also provided for adjusting the time of display of image files and for providing on-demand display of detailed biographic information about each artist exhibited in the screen saver.