Abstract: Apparatus and method for personal protection from flying or falling objects during a disaster. The apparatus has an interior sheet of flexible material and an exterior sheet of flexible material joined together to form an inflatable space between them, which when inflated also defines an interior cavity bounded by the interior sheet of flexible material, which interior cavity is provided for personal protection from flying or falling objects during a disaster. The apparatus also includes a supply of compressed gas in fluid communication with the inflatable space for inflating the inflatable space. A tether is attached to the exterior sheet of flexible material for attachment of the inflated apparatus to a secure structure such as the frame of a motor home, the floor joist of a home, a secure anchor point of a building, a tree trunk or a utility pole.

Abstract: A compressor assembly for compressing a working fluid and lubricated with an oil, including a housing having a suction plenum and a discharge plenum that defines a discharge chamber and an exhaust chamber in fluid communication through a discharge chamber outlet, and a compression mechanism disposed in the housing. A baffle member proximate the discharge chamber outlet and against which a compressed admixture of working fluid and oil expelled from the discharge chamber is impactable for separating oil from the impacting admixture. The baffle member has an oil-impingement surface for collecting oil separated from the impacting admixture and directing the flow of oil separated from the impacting admixture. Working fluid substantially at a discharge pressure and devoid of the oil collected on the oil-impingement surface is exhaustible from the exhaust chamber through the discharge port.

Abstract: A compressor assembly for compressing a working fluid and lubricated with an oil, including a housing having a suction plenum and a discharge plenum that defines a discharge chamber and an exhaust chamber in fluid communication through a discharge chamber outlet, and a compression mechanism disposed in the housing. A baffle member proximate the discharge chamber outlet and against which a compressed admixture of working fluid and oil expelled from the discharge chamber is impactable for separating oil from the impacting admixture. The baffle member has an oil-impingement surface for collecting oil separated from the impacting admixture and directing the flow of oil separated from the impacting admixture. Working fluid substantially at a discharge pressure and devoid of the oil collected on the oil-impingement surface is exhaustable from the exhaust chamber through the discharge port.

Abstract: The apparatus pertains to an electromagnetic reciprocating machine with a stator having end portions forming axially spaced-apart pole pieces, the stator further including a coil cavity. A plunger reciprocates within the stator and includes a central portion and two end portions. The magnetic strength of the end portions is different from the magnetic strength of the central portion.

Abstract: A compressor with a flexible diaphragm used as the pumping element such as for Stirling coolers or pulse-tube refrigerators, said compressor further including a sensor to monitor the position of the diaphragm and a control circuit for maintaining the diaphragm position in a preselected range to avoid contact between the diaphragm and the rest of the compressor. The compressor also includes an expansion member for compensating for the thermal expansion of the working fluid of the compressor.

Abstract: A compressor with a flexible diaphragm used as the pumping element, said compressor further including a sensor to monitor the position of the diaphragm and a control circuit for maintaining the diaphragm position in a preselected range to avoid contact between the diaphragm and the rest of the compressor. The compressor also includes an expansion member for compensating for the thermal expansion and compressibility of the working fluid of the compressor.

Abstract: A vibration absorber unit or units are mounted on the exterior housing of a hydraulic drive system of the type that is powered from a pressure wave generated, e.g., by a Stirling engine. The hydraulic drive system employs a piston which is hydraulically driven to oscillate in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the hydraulic drive system. The vibration absorbers each include a spring or other resilient member having one side affixed to the housing and another side to which an absorber mass is affixed. In a preferred embodiment, a pair of vibration absorbers is employed, each absorber being formed of a pair of leaf spring assemblies, between which the absorber mass is suspended.