Abstract: A turbulence generation inhibitor comprising a fluid conduit having an interior wall surface with the interior wall surface having a plurality of spaced-apart microscopic grooves formed therein which are parallel to the mean-flow direction. Each of the grooves is defined by oppositely disposed side walls with the side walls of each of the grooves having at least one catenary shaped surface provided thereon.

Abstract: An aquarium filtration system includes an assembly of coaxial tubes within an aquarium which draws water through the conventional under-gravel filtration system of the aquarium, and communicates the initially filtered water to a fine-sand filter assembly located in a separate tank below the aquarium. The filtered water in the lower tank is then pumped upwards through the innermost tube of the coaxial tube assembly and returned to the aquarium. A water conduit, which surrounds the water supply tube, extends upwards to the desired water level of the aquarium, and conduit is axially adjustable to vary the water level. A casing surrounding the water conduit has an open bottom and allows water from the under-gravel filtration system to pass upwardly to the top of the water conduit, where it is drained to the filter assembly in the lower tank.

Abstract: A method comprises providing at least two fluid flow channels of different sizes wherein each contain a temperature sensitive resistance fluid flow sensor. An electronic controller is provided with the electrical information from the temperature sensitive resistance fluid flow sensor. The electronic controller is provided with a data base including at least the calibration data between fluid flow rate and the electrical information from the resistance sensor and the designated fluid flow rates at which each of the flow channels other than the smallest that could be opened or closed. Next, the fluid whose flow rate is to be measured is caused to flow through the smallest flow channel. Then the electronic controller compares the flow rate through the smallest flow channel with the designated flow rate for the smallest channel and opens the next larger flow channel to fluid flow if the designated flow rate is exceeded or closes such flow channel if such designated flow rate is not exceeded.

Abstract: A cascaded micro-groove aerodynamic drag reducer is provided by creating a plurality of spaced-apart, microscopic grooves in the aerodynamic surface. Each of the grooves is defined by oppositely disposed side walls with each of the side walls of each groove having at least one catenary shaped surface provided thereon. In the preferred embodiment, each of the side walls is provided with a plurality of catenary shaped surfaces with each of the catenary shaped surfaces having a plurality of smaller catenary surfaces provided thereon.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for peak shaving for a conventional air conditioning system. Heat energy is removed from an energy storage medium during periods of low power consumption and then the storage medium is used to absorb heat energy from the refrigerant during periods of peak energy consumption.

Abstract: A radiant energy exchanger is disclosed which comprises a relatively thin layer of gas permeable open-celled semi-opaque plastic foam, a layer of transparent gas impermeable plastic material on the side of the foam exposed to the atmosphere, and a layer of a gas impermeable reflective material on the other side of the foam.

Abstract: A full admission pitot pump is described including a rotatable outer housing having at least a first rotor housing member and at least a first stator housing member secured thereto. The rotor housing member has a reduced diameter portion at its first end and an enlarged diameter portion at its second end. The stator housing member has an enlarged diameter portion at its first end which is secured to the enlarged diameter portion of the first rotor housing member. A stator is positioned within the housing and remains stationary as the outer housing is rotated. The first rotor housing member rotates with a housing and defines a plurality of spaced-apart passageways formed therein which communicate with a plurality of spaced-apart passageways formed in the stator.

Abstract: A pitot heat pump is described wherein a multi-stage pitot pump is employed as the compression means in a heat pump thermodynamic cycle. The heat pump is comprised of a multi-stage vapor pitot pump, liquid pitot pump, turbine, vaporizer, evaporator, condenser and expansion valve. The turbine is used to rotate a shaft to which the impellers of the pitot pump are attached. Refrigerant gas from the evaporator enters the first stage of the pitot pump and the impeller therein forces the refrigerant gas outwardly where it enters the narrow end of a pitot tube provided therein. The discharge end of the pitot tube is in communication with the next stage of the pitot pump. In passing through the pitot tube, the refrigerant gas expands and the centrifugal force and the kinetic energy of the gas provide the energy whereby the refrigerant gas is compressed. After the last stage, the compressed gas is transmitted to the condenser of the heat pump.

Abstract: A fracture or crack arrestor assembly is described for insertion into a pipeline formed of a plurality of sections to prevent the propagation of fractures in the pipeline. The crack arrestor assembly includes a body portion which is generally cylindrical in shape and which has opposite ends in open communication with the pipeline. The body portion includes wall portions which are sloped inwardly from each end thereof to an intermediate wall portion which forms a reduced diameter at the outer surface of the body portion. A cylindrical reinforcing member embraces the reduced diameter portion of the body portion. A cylindrical cover or shield is secured to and embraces the body portion and has approximately the same outside diameter as the pipeline to facilitate wrapping or coating of the pipeline. The cavity between the interior of the cover and the body portion may be filled with a suitable filler material.