Abstract: A system and method for producing a fuel gas is provided. In particular, a combustion product of an internal combustion engine is converted by a catalytic converter heated by the beam of the laser to a subject component of a fuel gas. Other gases can be formed simultaneously in other catalytic converters heated by the laser beam. The resulting converted gases can be used to produce a fuel gas which can be stored and/or used to further fuel the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A system and method for producing natural gas is provided. a gas dynamic laser is powered by a gas, such as carbon dioxide, while the same gas is converted by a catalytic converter heated by the beam of the laser. Other gases can be formed simultaneously in other catalytic converters heated by the laser beam. The resulting converted gases can be used to produce a fuel gas. Excess heat and/or by-products of the process can be used to produce electricity.

Abstract: A method for producing natural gas is provided. a gas dynamic laser is powered by a gas, such as carbon dioxide, while the same gas is converted by a catalytic converter heated by the beam of the laser. Other gases can be formed simultaneously in other catalytic converters heated by the laser beam. The resulting converted gases can be used to produce a fuel gas. Excess heat and/or by-products of the process can be used to produce electricity.

Abstract: A system and method for producing a hydrogen fuel gas is provided. In particular, a hydrogen fuel product is produced from steam exposed to a heated catalyst, wherein at least a portion of the hydrogen fuel product produced is used in the system.

Abstract: A system and method for producing natural gas is provided. a gas dynamic laser is powered by a gas, such as carbon dioxide, while the same gas is converted by a catalytic converter heated by the beam of the laser. Other gases can be formed simultaneously in other catalytic converters heated by the laser beam. The resulting converted gases can be used to produce a fuel gas. Excess heat and/or by-products of the process can be used to produce electricity.

Abstract: A handheld dryer having low power consumption is provided. A fan operates to cause air to be drawn into the housing of the dryer, creating an airstream of substantial velocity that is forced through a heater assembly. The heater assembly includes two Peltier thermoelectric modules in thermal communication with a plurality of heat sinks. The airstream generated by the fan passes through the heat sinks to remove the heat therefrom, and is, in turn, heated. The passage of the airstream through the dryer housing results in each thermoelectric module operating at essentially a zero temperature differential between its hot and cold face. Resultantly, hot air is discharged from the handheld dryer, which can be used to dry hair or other objects.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for transforming water vapor into potable water by using a vapor compression refrigeration system which includes first and second cooling elements disposed in an air passage duct that provides an air circulation pattern driven by a fan or similar device. The circulating air undergoes cooling to a temperature below the dew point to collect water from the air. The collected water is stored in a principal storage vessel where ozone is injected to eliminate bacteria and contaminants. At least a portion of the recovered water is transferred to a secondary storage vessel where it is further cooled by refrigerant from the same compressor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for condensing water vapor in air to extract liquid water includes a refrigeration system having a cooling element and a refrigerant sub-cooler. The refrigeration system may have a cooling element with an exterior cooling surface over which air passes to shed heat and reach a lower temperature. The air has a dew point, and the cooling surface is at that dew point or less, causing liquid water to condense on the cooling element. The resulting liquid water may be caught in a water basin. The sub-cooler is immersed in liquid water collected in the water basin, to shed heat from refrigerant inside the sub-cooler.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extracting water from air in which a refrigeration system includes a cooling element to condense water from air. A first water vessel defines an inner volume. The first water vessel stores the water collected from the cooling element. An ozone device generates ozone inside the inner volume of the first water vessel. The ozone device provides the ozone to the water to resist bacteria and contaminants.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for condensing water vapor in air to extract liquid water in which a refrigeration system defines a closed-loop refrigerant path. The refrigeration system includes a main portion, a first branch portion and a second branch portion. The first branch portion and the second branch portion each have an entrance and an exit in fluid communication with the main portion. The first branch portion includes a first evaporator operable at a temperature of at most a dew point of air contacting the first evaporator to cause liquid water to condense on an exterior surface of the first evaporator. The second branch portion includes a second evaporator. A first water vessel is positioned proximate to the first evaporator for collecting water from the exterior surface of the first evaporator. A second water vessel is positioned proximate to the second evaporator for holding water chilled by the second evaporator. A conduit transports water from the first water vessel to the second water vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for condensing water vapor in air to extract liquid water includes an air duct, an air movement device, and a refrigeration system. The air duct has an entry port, an intermediate port, and an exit port; while the refrigeration system includes at least one evaporator and condenser within the air duct. The air movement device may be a fan within the air duct, to cause air flow through the condenser and out the exit port. The air has a dew point, and the evaporator temperature is at that dew point or less, to cause liquid water to condense on the evaporator's exterior surface. The intermediate port of the air duct is between the evaporator and condenser, such that air can enter the air duct by at least two paths: through the entry port and evaporator, and through the intermediate port which bypasses the evaporator.

Abstract: A handheld dryer having low power consumption is provided. A fan operates to cause air to be drawn into the housing of the dryer, creating an airstream of substantial velocity that is forced through a heater assembly. The heater assembly includes two Peltier thermoelectric modules in thermal communication with a plurality of heat sinks. The airstream generated by the fan passes through the heat sinks to remove the heat therefrom, and is, in turn, heated. The passage of the airstream through the dryer housing results in each thermoelectric module operating at essentially a zero temperature differential between its hot and cold face. Resultantly, hot air is discharged from the handheld dryer, which can be used to dry hair or other objects.

Abstract: A system and method for producing a fuel gas is provided. In particular, a combustion product of an internal combustion engine is converted by a catalytic converter heated by the beam of the laser to a subject component of a fuel gas. Other gases can be formed simultaneously in other catalytic converters heated by the laser beam. The resulting converted gases can be used to produce a fuel gas which can be stored and/or used to further fuel the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A system and method for producing natural gas is provided. a gas dynamic laser is powered by a gas, such as carbon dioxide, while the same gas is converted by a catalytic converter heated by the beam of the laser. Other gases can be formed simultaneously in other catalytic converters heated by the laser beam. The resulting converted gases can be used to produce a fuel gas. Excess heat and/or by-products of the process can be used to produce electricity.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for transforming water vapor into potable water by using a vapor compression refrigeration system which includes first and second cooling elements disposed in a closed loop air passage duct that provides a continuous air circulation pattern driven by a fan or similar device. Water is introduced into the circulating air and undergoes adiabatic cooling followed by two stage cooling, first at a temperature below the dew point and then at a lower temperature at or below freezing. Water is collected from the air in each step and the air is thereafter heated back up by the condensing element of the refrigeration system enabling it to absorb more water vapor at the point of introduction. The air is recirculated and processed as above to permit cyclical water recovery.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring water vapor into potable water, by using a vapor compression refrigeration system which includes both a water-cooled condenser and an air-cooled condenser. The water-cooled condenser is located in the refrigerant fluid path between the exit of the compressor and the inlet of the air-cooled condenser where it behaves as a desuperheater. The water exiting the condenser, containing the superheat from the refrigerant, is transferred through conduit to a water to air heat exchange means having an open cell ligament structure, wherein as the water falls through it, the water is cooled by the evaporation of a portion of the water by an air stream also passing through it. The open cell ligament structure coincidently acts as a filter for the air stream.

Abstract: The bicycle drive mechanism is intended to emulate the behavior of contemporary multiple sprocket bicycle drive mechanisms while comprising far fewer components. In operation force is transmitted to a first drive sprocket which has the capability to absorb much of the inertial load. A second sprocket on the rear wheel of the bicycle is connected by a chain to the first drive sprocket in the usual fashion. Energy stored in the drive sprocket is gradually released as momentum is increased, thereby easing muscle strain upon the rider.

Abstract: A portable, self-contained heating and cooling assembly comprising at least two compartments or alternately one compartment and a heat reservoir wherein the two compartments are specifically structured to concurrently hold containerized liquids, medical items or objects, foodstuffs, etc. Thermoelectric heat transfer technology is utilized to transfer heat energy between the two compartments by means of a thermoelectric device which, when electrically activated, serves to remove heat from one compartment and the object or substance therein and transfer such heat to the other compartment as well as the object or substance therein thereby serving to simultaneously cool the interior of one compartment and heat the interior of the other compartment. Operative modifications include the selective heating or cooling of a single object or substance within one compartment which may be interconnected in thermal contact with a second compartment or with the thermal reservoir.

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a hair dryer apparatus capable of low power consumption which makes use of a thermoelectric cooling and heating module. The hair dryer includes a motor driven fan which forces ambient air across each opposite face of the thermoelectric module simultaneously and at a high velocity. The thermoelectric module behaves as a heat pump by absorbing heat through a first heat sink in contact with one side of the module, pumping the heat through the module with a low voltage DC electric current, and rejecting the heat through a second heat sink in contact with the second side of the module. Additional Joules heat, created by the power input to the module, is also rejected to ambient through the second heat sink. Air passed over the first heat sink can be mixed with the air passed over the second heat sink by a damper at the air discharge, thereby enabling accurate temperature settings without the use of electronic controls.

Abstract: A system for producing steam for the production of electricity includes a fossil fuel burning furnace in fluid communication with a liquid air fractional distillation facility. The liquid oxygen produced in the fractional distillation facility is used to increase the efficiency of the fractional distillation facility and the furnace. Gaseous nitrogen extracted from the fractional distillation facility is liquefied and used to increase efficiency of steam turbines by virtue of thermal communication with steam exiting the turbines. A magnetohydrodynamic electrical generation apparatus is included. Elements of the MHD apparatus are cooled cryogenically by liquid nitrogen, thereby enabling superconductivity to occur in the system. A suitable effluent gas recovery means is downstream of the furnace.