Abstract: Disclosed are a method and system for managing access to and verifying personal identity. A person is provided with a private key that uniquely identifies that person, and that person uses the private key to access an identity manager. The person then uses the identity manager to specify a desire to establish a business relationship with a business entity. The user can then contact that business entity. The business entity is provided with a private key that uniquely identifies the business entity. That business entity then receives a request to conduct business with the entity from a person alleging to have the personal identity. The business entity then accesses the identity manager using the private key, and that entity then determines if a person having the personal identity has used the identity manager to specify a desire to conduct business with the business entity.

Abstract: A self-contained, freely movable laser system includes a laser, an energy storage unit such as a battery, and a sealed heat exchanger for removing excess heat from the laser. The laser system needs only a standard low voltage AC power source for operation.

Abstract: A fuel burner apparatus for converting fossil fuel such as gas into heat. A cylindrical burner body is provided having an air inlet and a flame opening wherethrough flames, combustion gases and any unburned particles of fuel exit. A flame spreader apparatus is connected to the flame opening for evenly distributing the flames, combustion gases and unburned fuel particles coming out of the fuel burner. The fuel spreader apparatus includes a fuel spreader, a stem connected substantially perpendicular thereto and three leg portions connected at one end thereof to each other and at the other end thereof to the flame burner opening. The stem is connected to the meeting point of the three leg portions. A two-stage gas valve or a slow opening gas valve is provided for controlling the rate at which the fuel valve opens and allows fuel to enter the fuel burner. The fuel burner is connected to a heat exchanger which has a flue line and a blower connected to the flue line.

Abstract: A reliable, low cost, light weight, CW pumped Nd:YAG laser with optional Q-switching is provided with a rail for the laser optics that isolates the optical axis from movement of the laser head housing. A laser pot is provided with a housing and quickly detachable cover both molded of a resin that is impervious to water, optically opaque, possesses low thermal deformation, high dielectric strength and resistance to damage by light and UV radiation. The pot is formed with a cavity lined by molded reflectors and divided by a septum interposed between the laser rod and lamp. The lamp is removable with the cover and is readily coupled with the lamp sockets designed for accepting variations in lamp manufacturing tolerances. The power supply for the laser resonator is transformerless and parallel triggering is employed for the lamp. The cooling system is provided with a water immersed heat exchanger defined by a coated copper tube that prevents ionic action.

Abstract: A gun-type fluid fuel burner having a blast tube with a fuel dispensing nozzle therein includes a blower housing having a scroll side wall and opposite end walls. The housing side wall has an upwardly facing air discharge opening therein which communicates with the blast tube, and one of the end walls has an air inlet opening therein. A squirrel cage blower wheel having a diameter more than twice its width is mounted for rotation in the housing and is directly driven by a two pole single phase alternating current motor mounted on one of the housing end walls, the blower drawing air through the input opening and discharging the air under pressure through the discharge opening. A damper plate is mounted on the housing for movement between an open position and a position closing the discharge opening, the damper being moved to its open position in response to air pressure from the blower and returning to its closed position under the influence of biasing force.

Abstract: A power gas burner includes a plenum having front and rear walls and a side wall. A blast tube is connected to the front wall communicating with the plenum. A blower has its discharge connected to the plenum. An air-gas mixing tube is disposed in the blast tube with its discharge adjacent the distal end thereof and its inlet extending into the plenum, the mixing tube defining a secondary air passage with the blast tube. The mixing tube has an air-admitting opening adjacent its inlet communicating with the plenum. A gas line extends into the inlet of the mixing tube. A spider supports the discharge of the mixing tube and has legs engaging the distal end of the blast tube. A flame spreader disc is spaced from the discharge of the mixing tube, the diameter of the disc being generally equal to the diameter of the mixing tube at its discharge.

Abstract: A gun-type burner including a housing having side and end walls defining a plenum chamber. A blast tube is mounted on one end wall of the housing which has an opening therein communicating between the plenum chamber and the blast tube. A fuel nozzle and ignition electrodes are positioned in the blast tube and extend into the plenum chamber. A squirrel cage blower is provided including a scroll casing with an air discharge end mounted on a side wall of the housing which has an opening therein communicating between the plenum chamber and the air discharge end of the casing. A shaded pole motor is mounted on the casing and is operatively connected to drive the blower. An electrically operated fuel pump is mounted on the housing, and an ignition transformer or solid-state ignitor is also mounted on the housing and has secondary terminals which extend into the plenum chamber and are connected to the ignition electrodes.