Abstract: An electrical transmission assembly for drill pipe segments for a drill string for oil wells and gas wells. A resilient pipe segment lining having an embedded lining conductive element extending from a first lining inductive element to a second lining inductive element is affixed to the interior surface of the pipe segment. A support sleeve dimensioned for slidable mating with the interior surface of the resilient pipe segment lining has an embedded sleeve conductive element extending from a first sleeve inductive element to a second sleeve inductive element. The position of the first and second sleeve inductive elements respectively provide for them to be positioned radially and longitudinally proximal to the first and second lining inductive elements respectively as the pipe segments are threaded together.

Abstract: A positive displacement, shock dampening, plunger pump having a plunger chamber with a pressure chamber and a shock chamber, the plunger chamber having a plunger chamber longitudinal wall and the shock chamber having a shock chamber end wall. The plunger pump has a shock bearing slidably positioned in the plunger chamber and a shock spring positioned in the shock chamber between the shock bearing and the shock chamber end wall. The plunger pump has a pump plunger reciprocally positioned in the plunger chamber and extending from the shock chamber to the pressure chamber through a plunger port in the shock bearing. The shock bearing is in slidable contact with the plunger chamber longitudinal wall and the plunger longitudinal surface. The plunger pump has a reciprocating drive connection mechanism for interconnecting the pump plunger with a plunger drive mechanism.

Abstract: A transaction security code database and a method and apparatus for generating the transaction security code database. The transaction security code database is comprised of multiple transaction security codes, each transaction security code constituting a transaction code generated based upon a transaction initiated by a user, which is appended to or linked to a security code which is based upon a biometric sensor code generated by a biometric sensor from a biometric presentation of a biometric feature of the user.

Abstract: A VTOL rotor assembly for a compound VTOL aircraft, the VTOL rotor assembly having a rotor sleeve, a pair of rotor blades which are extendable from the rotor sleeve for vertical take off and landing and retractable to the rotor sleeve as forward air speed exceeds the stall speed for the compound VTOL aircraft, and a rotor hub for connecting the rotor sleeve to a rotor power assembly. Rotor blade motivators controlled by a rotor blade controller determine the pitch of the respective rotor blades through interaction of the pilot of the VTOL aircraft with the rotor blade controller.

Abstract: A multi-element photovoltaic cell having two or more photovoltaic elements with an isolation layer interposed between all contiguous photovoltaic elements. Each photovoltaic element has an element front conductor and an element rear conductor which are in electrical contact with the photovoltaic layer of the photovoltaic element. The current from a respective photovoltaic element which is generated as incident solar radiation irradiates the photovoltaic cell, flows independently of the other photovoltaic elements to one or more capacitor banks controlled by a photovoltaic controller. The photovoltaic controller controls charging and discharging of element capacitors of the capacitor banks so as to optimize the efficiency of the photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: A fluid direct contact heat exchanger having a contact chamber with a source fluid inlet provided by a source fluid inlet pipe, a source fluid outlet provided by a source fluid outlet pipe, a transfer fluid inlet provided by a transfer fluid inlet pipe, and a transfer fluid outlet provided by a transfer fluid outlet pipe. The source fluid and the transfer fluid have substantially different specific gravities and the source fluid and the transfer fluid are each insoluble in the other. The heat exchanger incorporates a heat transfer inducement element in the contact chamber which has a rotatable inducer shaft and a transfer accelerator element attached to the inducer shaft.

Abstract: A multi-element photovoltaic cell having two or more photovoltaic elements with an isolation layer interposed between all contiguous photovoltaic elements. Each photovoltaic element has an element front conductor and an element rear conductor which are in electrical contact with the photovoltaic layer of the photovoltaic element. The current from a respective photovoltaic element which is generated as incident solar radiation irradiates the photovoltaic cell, flows independently of the other photovoltaic elements to one or more capacitor banks controlled by a photovoltaic controller. The photovoltaic controller controls charging and discharging of element capacitors of the capacitor banks so as to optimize the efficiency of the photovoltaic cell.

Abstract: A folded stack, segmented capacitor having a continuous capacitor base element which is folded two or more times, in one or more first stack folds and one or more second stack folds, to form three or more stack layers. Each of the stack layers has a primary electrode, which may be a continuous metallic film, and a segmented secondary electrode comprised of a plurality of secondary electrode elements electrically connected to a conductor element by a fuse element. The primary electrode is separated from the segmented secondary electrode and the plurality of secondary electrode elements by a continuous primary dielectric element. The secondary electrode elements are separated from the conductor element by a conductor insulation layer. The fuse elements pass through the conductor insulation layer from the secondary electrode elements to the conductor element.

Abstract: A water reclamation system and method incorporating a solar collector or other energy source, an energy source heat transfer element, a primary heat exchanger, a bladeless turbine, a collection chamber, a reclaimed water condenser, and a sludge scraper assembly. One or more pumps, control valves or other flow control devices may provide pressurization and control the flow of unheated transfer fluid, heated transfer fluid, raw water, and heated raw water. Embodiments vary from highly automated embodiments which incorporate an intricate system of sensors, control valves, pumps, and other components connected to and controlled by a control module which uses a complex algorithm to continuously and autonomously monitor and control the operation of all system components, to a totally manual system with no sensors, no automated components, and no control module.

Abstract: A solar receiver having a receiver vessel with a receiver chamber, a receiver cover with a receiver window, a receiver fluid inlet, a receiver fluid outlet, and an absorption media matrix in the receiver chamber. In operation of the solar receiver, incident solar radiation is transmitted through the receiver window to the absorption media matrix. Receiver fluid is circulated through the receiver chamber and the absorption media matrix. Heat is transferred from the absorption media matrix to the receiver fluid.

Abstract: Solar receiver having a receiver funnel, a solar absorber, and an absorber rotation drive mechanism. The receiver funnel has a funnel entrance and a funnel exit. The solar absorber may have a spherical shape and has an absorber rotation axis. The solar absorber is rotatably positioned in the funnel exit. The solar absorber has an internal absorber fluid chamber, an absorber fluid intake and an absorber fluid outlet. The absorber rotation drive mechanism provides for rotating the solar absorber about the absorber rotation axis.

Abstract: A photovoltaic controller for a photovoltaic array of photovoltaic cells. The photovoltaic controller incorporates a capacitor charge circuit electrically connected to each photovoltaic cell, cell capacitors connected to each photovoltaic cell by the capacitor charge circuit, capacitor charge switches, a capacitor discharge circuit electrically connected to each cell capacitor, an output circuit connected to the capacitor discharge circuit, capacitor discharge switches, a plurality of capacitor voltage sensors, and a photovoltaic control module in communication with the capacitor voltage sensors, the capacitor charge switches and the capacitor discharge switches.

Abstract: A transaction security code database and a method and apparatus for generating the transaction security code database. The transaction security code database is comprised of multiple transaction security codes, each transaction security code constituting a transaction code generated based upon a transaction initiated by a user, which is appended to or linked to a security code which is based upon a biometric sensor code generated by a biometric sensor from a biometric presentation of a biometric feature of the user.

Abstract: A fluid direct contact heat exchanger having a contact chamber with a source fluid inlet provided by a source fluid inlet pipe, a source fluid outlet provided by a source fluid outlet pipe, a transfer fluid inlet provided by a transfer fluid inlet pipe, and a transfer fluid outlet provided by a transfer fluid outlet pipe. The source fluid and the transfer fluid have substantially different specific gravities and the source fluid and the transfer fluid are each insoluble in the other. The heat exchanger incorporates a heat transfer inducement element in the contact chamber which has a rotatable inducer shaft and a transfer accelerator element attached to the inducer shaft.

Abstract: A die roller and method for making a die roller for use in manufacturing Fresnel lens angular segments or sub-segments, the die roller having one or more segment dies and curvilinear Fresnel facet dies, the Fresnel facet dies having a collar, a peak, and a base, the collar being sloped, the peak being rounded, and the base being rounded, according to a die algorithm based upon one or more facet factors, in order to reduce the deformation of Fresnel lens angular segments or sub-segments extruded with the die roller.

Abstract: Solar receiver having a receiver funnel, a solar absorber, and an absorber rotation drive mechanism. The receiver funnel has a funnel entrance and a funnel exit. The solar absorber may have a spherical shape and has an absorber rotation axis. The solar absorber is rotatably positioned in the funnel exit. The solar absorber has an internal absorber fluid chamber, an absorber fluid intake and an absorber fluid outlet. The absorber rotation drive mechanism provides for rotating the solar absorber about the absorber rotation axis.

Abstract: A transaction security code database and a method and apparatus for generating the transaction security code database. The transaction security code database is comprised of multiple transaction security codes, each transaction security code constituting a transaction code generated based upon a transaction initiated by a user, which is appended to or linked to a security code which is based upon a biometric sensor code generated by a biometric sensor from a biometric presentation of a biometric feature of the user.

Abstract: A die roller and method for making a die roller for use in manufacturing Fresnel lens angular segments or sub-segments, the die roller having one or more segment dies and curvilinear Fresnel facet dies, the Fresnel facet dies having a collar, a peak, and a base, the collar being sloped, the peak being rounded, and the base being rounded, according to a die algorithm based upon one or more facet factors, in order to reduce the deformation of Fresnel lens angular segments or sub-segments extruded with the die roller.

Abstract: A secured electronic system and method for taking and counting votes. A database of unique ballot security codes, each ballot security code consisting of a ballot code representing the ballot selections of a voter and a security code derived from sensing with a biometric sensor a biometric presentation of a biometric feature of the voter. Each ballot security code is checked before entry into the database to verify that the security code component is not within a voter template of the security code component for any prior ballot security code, to prevent multiple votes being cast by any voter. Recounts are validated by verifying the uniqueness of the security code component of each ballot security code and verifying that each security code is not within a voter template of any other security code. Each ballot security code may also be checked against a registration data base thereby verifying that the voter is registered.

Abstract: A secured electronic system and method for taking and counting votes. A database of unique ballot security codes, each ballot security code consisting of a ballot code representing the ballot selections of a voter and a security code derived from sensing with a biometric sensor a biometric presentation of a biometric feature of the voter. Each ballot security code is checked before entry into the database to verify that the security code component is not within a voter template of the security code component for any prior ballot security code, to prevent multiple votes being cast by any voter. Recounts are validated by verifying the uniqueness of the security code component of each ballot security code and verifying that each security code is not within a voter template of any other security code. Each ballot security code may also be checked against a registration data base thereby verifying that the voter is registered.