Abstract: A vortex tube is affixed in a first case to a turbocharger in an engine, in a second case to a supercharger in an engine, or in a third case to the intake manifold of an engine. A vortex tube includes an entry port, a cold exit port and a hot exit port. By employing different structural interconnections of the vortex tube with the turbocharger or supercharger, compressed air is cooled prior to entering the engine's intake manifold. The same effect is achieved when the vortex tube is affixed directly to the engine intake manifold. Additionally, the fuel may be heated or cooled, depending upon the specific fuel type utilized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for condensing water and a plurality of hydrocarbons entrained in a pressurized gas stream leaving a separator at a well location. The pressurized gas stream leaves the separator during a first time period and enters the vortex tube. Through the cooling action of the vortex tube, a first plurality of hydrocarbons and water are condensed and sent to a first reservoir. The temperature in the vortex tube is not low enough to condense a second plurality of hydrocarbons, which remain in the gaseous state and are sent to a second reservoir for sale. Through the warming action of the vortex tube, methane, ethane, propane and some butane may immediately be passed to a gas sales line. The pressurized gas stream is terminated during the well recharge phase. This termination period occurs for a second time period. The ratio of the second time period to the first time period is chosen to be greater than zero.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which is utilized to provide positional information relative to an external magnetic field. The apparatus includes a rotatably mounted slotted disk wherein the slot is continuously varying in width around the circumference of the disk. The continuously variable width of the slot serves as a light attenuating mask. The disk incorporates an elongated magnet means which causes it to rotate in relation to an external magnetic field. The slotted disk may be placed in a fluid filled chamber. A first and second aperture are located on the top and bottom of the chamber, the apertures defining an emission passage through the chamber. The apertures have a rectangular length approximately the maximum width of the slot. The slotted disk is intermediate the apertures. A source detector, source emitter and an area source means is provided. The area source means is caused to emit a continuous uniform light signal which is attenuated by the slotted disk.

Abstract: A gimballed compass apparatus with digital logic is disclosed which provides directional and attitudinal data. The apparatus comprises a rotatably mounted slotted disk wherein the slot is continuously varying in width around the circumference of the disk. The disk incorporates an elongated magnet which cause it to rotate in relation to an external magnetic field. A first and second aperture are located on the top and bottom elements of the chamber defining a light passage. The apertures have a rectangular length approximately the maximum width of the slot. The slotted disk is positioned intermediate the apertures. A light housing is provided below the chamber and includes a light source. A linear array of source detector are provided above the chamber. Each source detector element provides a response proportional to the specific amount of light incident upon it. The light beam is reflected from the aperture by a mirror to a beam focusing device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for providing instantaneous real-time information concerning the attitude of an object. When the speed of the object to which the apparatus is attached is known, a real-time three dimensional velocity vector is determinable. The apparatus includes a plate mounted for rotation in a first axis nested within a gimbal means which is also mounted for rotation in a second axis, the first axis and the second axis being orthogonally oriented. The plate may mount a compass, gyroscope or laser. The rate of change of the angular position of the compass, gyroscope or laser is determinable. The rotation of the plate and the gimbal means are ascertained with precision by a novel sensor means. The sensor means determines the rotation by measuring the intensity of radiation (photoemission) passing through a disk with a variable width aperture circumscribed about the disk's circumference.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for measuring rotation of a shaft with extreme precision. The apparatus includes a housing enclosing a slotted disk wherein the slot is continuously varying about the circumference of the disk. The housing is cylindrical and includes a tubular side portion intermediate a first and second circular face. The two circular faces and the slotted disk have a center. The shaft passes through the center of the two circular faces of the housing and the slotted disk. The slotted disk is fixed to rotate with the shaft. The housing includes a rotation means which permits the shaft to freely rotate in the housing. A first aperture is located outside the housing on the first circular face and a second aperture is located outside the housing on the second circular face, both first and second apertures being co-linear with the slot of the slotted disk and defining a channel. An emission source is located over the first aperture and an emission detector is located over the second aperture.

Abstract: A waste heat recovery system is provided where a waste heat source is utilized to vaporize a working fluid which in turn powers a turbine to generate power in a heat engine. A heat exhanger is placed between a waste heat source in an industrial process and an evaporator. The evaporator is connected to a turbine chamber further connected to a multi-chambered condensation unit. Each chamber of the multi-chambered condensation unit has a valved inlet port and a valved outlet port. The valved inlet ports of each chamber of the multi-chambered condensation unit are connected to the turbine chamber outlet. The multi-chamber condensation unit includes a number of condensation chambers, each chamber including a plurality of computer controlled valves. The condesation chambers are sequentially evacuated causing the vapor to be drawn through the turbine and brought into the condensation chambers one at a time. A reservoir is provided which collects the condensate where it is pumped back to the evaporator.

Abstract: A real time directional orientation apparatus is disclosed for use in a four pi (4.pi.) geometry. The apparatus is to be affixed to an object which translates in space. A source emitter means, which may be radioactive, is suspended in a fluid in concert with a magnet. A bank of emission detectors registers the orientation of the source emitter or emitters against a known starting value. As the object translates in space, so does its position and orientation, thus causing the magnet to adjust its position in reference to an external magnetic field, such as, but not limited to, the earth's magnetic field. The motion of the magnet causes the emitter or emitters orientation to change which is sensed by the emission detectors as both a change in intensity and position. This data is processed by a computer and with ancillary data provided by other sensors provides real time position, path and other navigational, directional and positional data, such as pitch, yaw, attitude and roll.

Abstract: A real time directional orientation apparatus is disclosed for use in a two pi (2.pi.) geometry. The apparatus is to be affixed to an object which translates in space. A cylindrical disk is suspended in a fluid in concert with a magnet. The cylindrical disk is disposed inside a cylindrical housing. A light source is in communication with the disk and the light is propagated through the disk where it is finally projected from the disk in a radial fashion. The light beam projected is detected by a bank of photon sensitive detectors lining the interior of the cylindrical housing. The light source is propagated through two coplanar, orthogonal light channels which emanate from the center of the disk in a radial fashion. The photon sensitive detectors register the orientation of the light channels against a known starting value.

Abstract: A gimballed compass apparatus is disclosed which provides directional and inclinational data. The apparatus comprises a rotatably mounted slotted disk wherein the slot is continuously varying in width around the circumference of the disk. The disk incorporates an elongated magnet which causes it to rotate in relation to an external magnetic field. A first and second aperture are located on the top and bottom elements of the chamber defining a emission passage. The apertures have a rectangular length approximately the maximum width of the slot. The slotted disk is positioned intermediate the apertures. An emission housing is provided below the chamber and includes an emission source and a first source detector. A second source detector is provided above the chamber. The source detectors provide a response to the intensity of emission incident upon them.

Abstract: A low cost, simple apparatus is disclosed which can be used to provide positional information relative to an external magnetic field. The apparatus comprises a rotatably mounted slotted disk wherein the slot is continuously varying in width around the circumference of the disk. The disk incorporates an elongated magnet which causes it to rotate in relation to an external magnetic field. The slotted disk is placed in a fluid filled chamber. A first and second aperture are located on the top and bottom elements of the chamber defining an emission passage. The apertures have a rectangular length approximately the maximum width of the slot. The slotted disk is intermediate the apertures. A source detector is provided below the chamber proximal an emission source, and a second source detector is provided above the chamber. The source detectors provide a response to the intensity of emission incident upon them.