Abstract: The disclosed hydrocarbon lift system and method prohibits water-coning in production of oil from a subterranean reservoir to the earth's surface. The system comprises a well bore with a first and a second section. The first section has perforations which draw a first fluid into and up the well bore based on a negative pump pressure applied thereto. The second section has perforations which draw a second fluid into the well bore based on a differential pressure between the pump pressure and a lower induced pressure therein. The system also comprises a venturi structure fixtured into the well bore. The venturi structure has flaring ends connected by a constricting throat defining perforations therein. The constricting throat perforations draw the second fluid through the second section perforations into the venturi throat in response to the lower induced pressure in the second section created by an increased first fluid velocity there through.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention include systems, methods, and apparatus for improving the fuel efficiency (mpg/kpl) of a motor vehicle during those times when the vehicle air conditioning system is operating. Whenever the driver takes his foot off the gas, or the vehicle engine is otherwise caused to decelerate, the refrigerant compressor clutch engages, allowing the compressor to operate on previously-imparted vehicle waste energy (e.g., imparted by the engine, or by downhill travel.) When the refrigerant pressure reaches a pre-set maximum value, the clutch is deactivated, and the compressor stops. When the refrigerant pressure reaches a pre-set minimum level, the clutch is activated regardless of the existence of vehicle waste energy. When the refrigerant pressure reaches another pre-set level between the aforementioned maximum and minimum levels, in the absence of any vehicle waste energy, the clutch is again deactivated and the compressor stops.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention include systems, methods, and apparatus for improving the fuel efficiency (mpg/kpl) of a motor vehicle during those times when the vehicle air conditioning system is operating. Whenever the driver takes his foot off the gas, or the vehicle engine is otherwise caused to decelerate, the refrigerant compressor clutch engages, allowing the compressor to operate on previously-imparted vehicle waste energy (e.g., imparted by the engine, or by downhill travel.) When the refrigerant pressure reaches a pre-set maximum value, the clutch is deactivated, and the compressor stops. When the refrigerant pressure reaches a pre-set minimum level, the clutch is activated regardless of the existence of vehicle waste energy. When the refrigerant pressure reaches another pre-set level between the aforementioned maximum and minimum levels, in the absence of any vehicle waste energy, the clutch is again deactivated and the compressor stops.

Abstract: A waste energy-based vehicle air conditioning system includes efficient compression driving means coupled to refrigeration means, which greatly reduces the extra fuel otherwise required to operate conventional vehicle air conditioning systems. In one implementation, the compression driving means includes a controller (e.g., magnetic clutch) that couples mechanical waste energy from an engine fan axle, a vehicle drive shaft, or a transmission shaft directly to an axle of a refrigerant compressor. Alternatively, the controller can also include a battery that is charged from the mechanical waste energy. Upon detecting the presence of vehicle waste energy, such as the driver's foot releasing from a gas pedal, the controller powers the refrigerant compressor with a rotating axle (e.g., during deceleration) or with the vehicle's battery power, as appropriate. One or more kits can be used to retrofit existing vehicles to operate the respective air conditioning systems principally on waste energy.

Abstract: A waste energy-based vehicle air conditioning system includes efficient compression driving means coupled to refrigeration means, which greatly reduces the extra fuel otherwise required to operate conventional vehicle air conditioning systems. In one implementation, the compression driving means includes a controller (e.g., magnetic clutch) that couples mechanical waste energy from an engine fan axle, a vehicle drive shaft, or a transmission shaft directly to an axle of a refrigerant compressor. Alternatively, the controller can also include a battery that is charged from the mechanical waste energy. Upon detecting the presence of vehicle waste energy, such as the driver's foot releasing from a gas pedal, the controller powers the refrigerant compressor with a rotating axle (e.g., during deceleration) or with the vehicle's battery power, as appropriate. One or more kits can be used to retrofit existing vehicles to operate the respective air conditioning systems principally on waste energy.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention include systems, methods, and apparatus for improving the fuel efficiency (mpg/kpl) of a motor vehicle during those times when the vehicle air conditioning system is operating. Whenever the driver takes his foot off the gas, or the vehicle engine is otherwise caused to decelerate, the refrigerant compressor clutch engages, allowing the compressor to operate on previously-imparted vehicle waste energy (e.g., imparted by the engine, or by downhill travel.) When the refrigerant pressure reaches a pre-set maximum value, the clutch is deactivated, and the compressor stops. When the refrigerant pressure reaches a pre-set minimum level, the clutch is activated regardless of the existence of vehicle waste energy. When the refrigerant pressure reaches another pre-set level between the aforementioned maximum and minimum levels, in the absence of any vehicle waste energy, the clutch is again deactivated and the compressor stops.

Abstract: A waste energy-based vehicle air conditioning system includes efficient compression driving means coupled to refrigeration means. In one implementation, the compression driving means includes a controller (e.g., magnetic clutch) that couples mechanical waste energy from an engine fan axle, a vehicle drive shaft, or a transmission shaft to an axle of a refrigerant compressor. Alternatively, the controller can also include a battery that is charged from the mechanical waste energy. Upon detecting certain pressure values, the controller powers the refrigerant compressor with a rotating axle (e.g., during deceleration) or with battery power, as appropriate. In one implementation, the controller is configured to engage compression immediately upon detecting that the vehicle is decelerating. One or more kits can be used to retrofit existing vehicles to operate the respective air conditioning systems principally on waste energy.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention include systems, methods, and apparatus for improving the fuel efficiency (mpg/kpl) of a motor vehicle during those times when the vehicle air conditioning system is operating. Whenever the driver takes his foot off the gas, or the vehicle engine is otherwise caused to decelerate, the refrigerant compressor clutch engages, allowing the compressor to operate on previously-imparted vehicle waste energy (e.g., imparted by the engine, or by downhill travel.) When the refrigerant pressure reaches a pre-set maximum value, the clutch is deactivated, and the compressor stops. When the refrigerant pressure reaches a pre-set minimum level, the clutch is activated regardless of the existence of vehicle waste energy. When the refrigerant pressure reaches another pre-set level between the aforementioned maximum and minimum levels, in the absence of any vehicle waste energy, the clutch is again deactivated and the compressor stops.

Abstract: A waste energy-based vehicle air conditioning system includes efficient compression driving means coupled to refrigeration means. In one implementation, the compression driving means includes a controller (e.g., magnetic clutch) that couples mechanical waste energy from an engine fan axle, a vehicle drive shaft, or a transmission shaft to an axle of a refrigerant compressor. Alternatively, the controller can also include a battery that is charged from the mechanical waste energy. Upon detecting certain pressure values, the controller powers the refrigerant compressor with a rotating axle (e.g., during deceleration) or with battery power, as appropriate. In one implementation, the controller is configured to engage compression immediately upon detecting that the vehicle is decelerating. One or more kits can be used to retrofit existing vehicles to operate the respective air conditioning systems principally on waste energy.

Abstract: Implementations of the present invention include systems, methods, and apparatus for improving the fuel efficiency (mpg/kpl) of a motor vehicle during those times when the vehicle air conditioning system is operating. Whenever the driver takes his foot off the gas, or the vehicle engine is otherwise caused to decelerate, the refrigerant compressor clutch engages, allowing the compressor to operate on previously-imparted vehicle waste energy (e.g., imparted by the engine, or by downhill travel.) When the refrigerant pressure reaches a pre-set maximum value, the clutch is deactivated, and the compressor stops. When the refrigerant pressure reaches a pre-set minimum level, the clutch is activated regardless of the existence of vehicle waste energy. When the refrigerant pressure reaches another pre-set level between the aforementioned maximum and minimum levels, in the absence of any vehicle waste energy, the clutch is again deactivated and the compressor stops.

Abstract: Structural panels for use in manufacturing aircraft fuselages and other structures are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a structural panel configured in accordance with the invention includes a skin having at least one offset surface. The structural panel can further include at least first and second stiffeners. The first stiffener can have a first flange portion mated to the skin adjacent to the offset surface. The second stiffener can be spaced apart from the first stiffener and can similarly have a second flange portion mated to the skin adjacent to the offset surface. The structural panel of this embodiment can additionally include a support member mated to the first flange portion of the first stiffener, the second flange portion of the second stiffener, and the offset surface of the skin.