Abstract: The present invention is a novel design for a recirculating vacuum cleaner nozzle that addresses the problem of pluming by venting some internal fluid to the atmosphere. The nozzle guides fluid flow around an inner shroud within a housing. The distal end of the nozzle is exposed to the atmosphere such that air passes rapidly across its face from the outside edges to the inner duct. This rapidly moving airflow picks up dust and debris and carries it to the interior of the inner duct. Dusty air within this duct is preferably cleaned with a separator. After the fluid is cleaned, it may be sent back to the nozzle to pick up more debris. Use of the nozzle of the present invention in conjunction with a separator allows sufficient air to enter the nozzle to prevent pluming and allows the same amount of air to exit via shaped vent holes while retaining dust in the system.

Abstract: A vortex generating apparatus has the capability of attracting and removably adhering one or more solid objects. The apparatus comprises an impeller housed within a shell. The vortex attractor generates a vortical fluid flow generally in the form of a helical or spiral shaped flow. The fluid flow creates a low pressure region extending from the impeller end of the device. This low pressure region is contained by the walls of the fluid flow, thus directing the attractive forces toward a surface and minimizing effects of ambient fluid on the system. When the surface is part of a stationary object, wall, floor or ceiling, the vortex attractor may move toward and adhere to the surface. When the surface is part of a movable object, the vortex attractor may attract the object and maintain the attracted position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to upright and cannister vacuum cleaners. The improved vacuum cleaners utilize toroidal vortex technology to provide efficient airflow in a sealed system. The sealed system prevents dust from escaping into the atmosphere and retains kinetic energy of flowing air. The present invention is also quieter, lighter, and simpler than conventional designs.

Abstract: An improved elastic motor is disclosed having a constant torque characteristic. The motor utilizes a reel with elastic stretched to its maximum tension. Each unit length of the elastic is allowed to relax back to its normal state while generating work in a process that will continue until the wheel is fully unwound. The present invention will ease design of mobile devices and the like by providing a power source having a predictable and stable output characteristic.

Abstract: A vortex generating apparatus has the capability of attracting and removably adhering one or more solid objects, with the improvement of being able to removably adhere to non-planar surfaces, e.g., concave or convex surfaces and/or inside and outside corners. Generally, the apparatus comprises an impeller housed within a shell. The vortex attractor generates a vortical fluid flow in the form of a helical or spiral shaped flow. The fluid flow creates a low pressure region extending from the impeller end of the device. This low pressure region is contained by the walls of the fluid flow, thus directing the attractive forces toward a surface and minimizing effects of ambient fluid on the system. When the surface is part of a stationary object, wall, floor or ceiling, the vortex attractor may move toward and adhere to the surface. When the surface is part of a movable object, the vortex attractor may attract the object and maintain the attracted position.

Abstract: The present invention aims at improving pool cleaners. The improved pool cleaners utilize toroidal vortex technology to provide efficient fluid flow in a sealed system. The sealed system prevents dirt from escaping into surrounding fluid and retains kinetic energy of the flowing fluid. The present invention is also quieter, lighter, and simpler than conventional designs.

Abstract: A vortex generating apparatus has the capability of attracting and removably adhering one or more solid objects. The apparatus comprises an impeller housed within a shell. The vortex attractor generates a vortical fluid flow generally in the form of a helical or spiral shaped flow. The fluid flow creates a low pressure region extending from the impeller end of the device. This low pressure region is contained by the walls of the fluid flow, thus directing the attractive forces toward a surface and minimizing effects of ambient fluid on the system. When the surface is part of a stationary object, wall, floor or ceiling, the vortex attractor may move toward and adhere to the surface. When the surface is part of a movable object, the vortex attractor may attract the object and maintain the attracted position.

Abstract: The present invention is a separation apparatus that combines the effects of a cylindrical vortex and a series of partial toroidal vortices. The toroidal vortex and cylindrical vortex fluid flows combined provide better separation than either fluid flow alone. Moreover, the present invention may be constructed such that an arbitrary number of partial toroidal vortices, in series, having relatively small radii are formed thereby allowing any level of separation to be achieved.

Abstract: The present invention is a design for a highly efficient passive separator. The invention utilizes passive air rotation techniques in combination with centrifugal separation and a particulate reservoir to achieve highly efficient, highly effective separation of, e.g., particulate matter from a fluid.

Abstract: The present invention is a highly efficient separator. The invention utilizes centrifugal separation and a particulate reservoir having a fluid and particulate flow therein to achieve highly efficient, highly effective separation of, e.g., particulate matter from a fluid.

Abstract: The present invention is a separation apparatus that combines the effects of a cylindrical vortex and a series of partial toroidal vortices. The toroidal vortex and cylindrical vortex fluid flows combined provide better separation than either fluid flow alone. Moreover, the present invention may be constructed such that an arbitrary number of partial toroidal vortices, in series, having relatively small radii are formed thereby allowing any level of separation to be achieved.

Abstract: An elastic motor having a constant torque characteristic utilizes a reel with elastic divided into unit lengths that are stretched to their maximum tension. Each unit length of the elastic is allowed to relax to its normal state while generating work in a process that will continue until the wheel is fully unwound. The present invention will ease design of mobile devices and the like by providing a power source having a predictable, constant, and stable output characteristic.

Abstract: A vortex generating apparatus has the capability of attracting and removably adhering one or more solid objects. The apparatus comprises an impeller housed within a shell. The vortex attractor generates a vortical fluid flow generally in the form of a helical or spiral shaped flow. The fluid flow creates a low pressure region extending from the impeller end of the device. This low pressure region is contained by the walls of the fluid flow, thus directing the attractive forces toward a surface and minimizing effects of ambient fluid on the system. When the surface is part of a stationary object, wall, floor or ceiling, the vortex attractor may move toward and adhere to the surface. When the surface is part of a movable object, the vortex attractor may attract the object and maintain the attracted position.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved vortex attractor that utilizes a toroidal vortex within the attractor housing in order to establish a pressure differential between outside the device and inside. Furthermore, means to generate a cylindrical vortex to supplement the toroidal vortex are disclosed to increase attractor efficiency. The system of the present invention has the ability of achieving greater pressure drops than systems previously disclosed. Furthermore, it is easily fashioned into a flexible unit that can adapt to traversing curved surfaces.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel design for a recirculating vacuum cleaner nozzle that addresses the problem of pluming by venting some internal fluid to the atmosphere. The nozzle guides fluid flow around an inner shroud within a housing. The distal end of the nozzle is exposed to the atmosphere such that air passes rapidly across its face from the outside edges to the inner duct. This rapidly moving airflow picks up dust and debris and carries it to the interior of the inner duct. Dusty air within this duct is preferably cleaned with a separator. After the fluid is cleaned, it may be sent back to the nozzle to pick up more debris. Use of the nozzle of the present invention in conjunction with a separator allows sufficient air to enter the nozzle to prevent pluming and allows the same amount of air to exit via shaped vent holes while retaining dust in the system.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved vacuum cleaning apparatus utilizing a self-sustained vortex flow in a centrifugal separator. More specifically, vortex flow is maintained via pressure differentials allowing the ejection of dust and other particles without bags, filters, or liquid baths. Furthermore, the impeller inside of the separator serves the dual purpose of moving air through the system as well as creating a cylindrical vortex fluid flow providing an efficient and simple configuration. Also disclosed herein is a complete toroidal vortex vacuum cleaner in which a toroidal vortex nozzle is used in conjunction with the centrifugal separator. The vacuum cleaner exhibits recirculating airflow that not only prevents unseparated dust from escaping into the atmosphere, but also conserves the kinetic energy of the flowing air. The present invention excels in producing clean air of a better quality more efficiently, more quietly, and more simply than the prior art.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a variable inductor whose inductance automatically varies directly with current. The variable inductor has a low inductance during a low current condition and a high inductance during a current overload condition. In the preferred embodiment, iron cores slide in and out of inductor coils based upon the magnetic attraction generated by applying current to the coils. In alternate embodiments, the present invention uses inductor coils encircling cores comprising sections of readily saturable magnetic materials and sections of materials capable of withstanding a high magnetic flux density. In a low current condition, the coils have an inductance equal to air core inductors, while in an overload condition, they have an inductance equal to iron-core inductors.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved vacuum cleaning apparatus that utilize toroidal vortex air flow in order to establish a pressure differential capable of attracting debris. These systems differ significantly from prior vacuum cleaners in that they are essentially closed systems; there is no constant intake and exhaust of fluid. Disclosed herein are toroidal vortex vacuum cleaner nozzles that function with a fluid delivery system, which, in combination, yield a toroidal vortex that is split between the extreme ends of the nozzle. Also disclosed is a complete toroidal vortex vacuum system employing a centrifugal dirt separator. The present invention excels in being more efficient, lighter weight and quieter than the prior art.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved vacuum cleaning apparatus that utilize toroidal vortex air flow in order to establish a pressure differential capable of attracting debris. These systems and its derivatives are essentially closed systems; there is no constant intake and exhaust of fluid. Included in the debris collection apparatus is a compaction means that captures debris caught in the toroidal vortex flow, and deposits it in a desired chamber.

Abstract: A vortex generating apparatus has the capability of attracting and removably adhering one or more solid objects. The apparatus comprises an impeller housed within a shell. The vortex attractor generates a vortical fluid flow generally in the form of a helical or spiral shaped flow. The fluid flow creates a low pressure region extending from the impeller end of the device. This low pressure region is contained by the walls of the fluid flow, thus directing the attractive forces toward a surface and minimizing effects of ambient fluid on the system. When the surface is part of a stationary object, wall, floor or ceiling, the vortex attractor may move toward and adhere to the surface. When the surface is part of a movable object, the vortex attractor may attract the object and maintain the attracted position.