Abstract: The present invention provides an electrically stimulated catalytic converter for treating engine exhaust from a vehicle engine. The electrically stimulated catalytic converter includes an exhaust conduit having one end thereof adapted to be connected to an exhaust pipe, and the other end thereof opened to the atmosphere outside the vehicle or connected to a reduced-size catalytic converter; and a corona charger apparatus operatively connected to the exhaust conduit. The corona charger apparatus is housed with a housing unit disposed between the ends the exhaust conduit. The corona charger is intrusively or non-intrusively associated with a main flow path defined by the exhaust conduit. The corona charger includes at least one electrode which may be recessed away from the main flow path. A plurality of corona chargers may be used in various combinations. The electrically stimulated catalytic converter is adapted to reduce exhaust pollution.

Abstract: The present invention provides an electrically stimulated catalytic converter for treating engine exhaust from a vehicle engine. The electrically stimulated catalytic converter includes an exhaust conduit having one end thereof adapted to be connected to an exhaust pipe, and the other end thereof opened to the atmosphere outside the vehicle or connected to a reduced-size catalytic converter; and a corona charger apparatus operatively connected to the exhaust conduit. The corona charger apparatus is housed with a housing unit disposed between the ends the exhaust conduit. The corona charger is intrusively or non-intrusively associated with a main flow path defined by the exhaust conduit. The corona charger includes at least one electrode which may be recessed away from the main flow path. A plurality of corona chargers may be used in various combinations. The electrically stimulated catalytic converter is adapted to reduce exhaust pollution.

Abstract: An on-board storable system for repairing a flat tire on an automobile comprising a utensil adapted to endow a power impact wrench to actuate a scissors jack. Such system preferably includes an air compressor for inflation of a replacement tire after mounting the wheel bearing the replacement tire has been secured to the hub with the impact wrench. An alternative system utilizing the utensil and a power impact wrench comprises an air reservoir; compressor; electro-mechanical means for driving the compressor; a pneumatic distribution system; the pneumatic distribution system conveying air from said reservoir to an air distribution post for each wheel of the automobile; and tubular means for conveying air from said posts to a tire proximate each said post. The electro-mechanical power transmission means being selected from the group comprising an engine driven belt powered pulley; an auxiliary battery and associated electric motor; and an electric motor driven by the automobile electric system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a charged fluid and for creating an electret from a receptor, such as roll mill polymer film, whereby the electret will have the highest possible static electrical charge within the physical limits of the receptor. The apparatus according to the present invention includes, inter alia, a housing, a plurality of equidistantly spaced electrodes, each electrode having optimum geometry, location and electrification voltage so as to provide a maximum, uniform electric field therebetween, the electrodes collectively forming a charger grid within the housing, and a source of flowing gaseous fluid entering into the housing, the flowing gaseous fluid ionizing at the charger grid, resulting in an optimized corona within the housing. The method according to the present invention induces an optimal corona, defined as a maximum possible electric field having a strength that is near the spark over voltage, in a flowing gaseous fluid by passing the gaseous fluid past the charger grid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a charged fluid and for creating an electret from a receptor, such as roll mill polymer film, whereby the electret will have the highest possible static electrical charge within the physical limits of the receptor. The apparatus according to the present invention includes, inter alia, a housing, a plurality of equidistantly spaced electrodes, each electrode having optimum geometry, location and electrification voltage so as to provide a maximum, uniform electric field therebetween, the electrodes collectively forming a charger grid within the housing, and a source of flowing gaseous fluid entering into the housing, the flowing gaseous fluid ionizing at the charger grid, resulting in an optimized corona within the housing. The method according to the present invention induces an optimal corona, defined as a maximum possible electric field having a strength that is near the spark over voltage, in a flowing gaseous fluid by passing the gaseous fluid past the charger grid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a charged gaseous fluid and for creating an electret from a receptor, such as roll mill polymer film, whereby the electret will have the highest possible static electrical charge within the physical limits of the receptor. The apparatus according to the present invention includes, inter alia, a housing, a plurality of equidistantly spaced electrodes, each electrode having optimum geometry, location and electrification voltage so as to provide a maximum, uniform electric field therebetween, the electrodes collectively forming a charger grid within the housing, and a source of flowing gaseous fluid entering into the housing, the flowing gaseous fluid ionizing at the charger grid, resulting in an optimized corona within the housing.

Abstract: An electrically stimuated filter assembly includes a filter unit in which an air gap is maintained between the filter medium and electrodes disposed on opposite sides of that medium, thereby preventing degradation of filter efficiency by humid filtered fluid. The filter medium is a sheet-like member folded in multiple accordion pleats and disposed between two plate electrodes, one of which is grounded to the chassis, the other of which is at high voltage. The air gaps are established by insulative plastic combs having bases secured to the electrode plates and teeth projecting from the bases into troughs of the folded filter. The high voltage plate is on the downstream side of the filter and mounted recessed from the downstream opening by insulative tubes secured to both the filter housing and the high voltage plate. A precharger is disposed in the assembly upstream of the filter unit and includes plural individual high voltage wires suspended in mutually spaced parallel relation across the flow path.