Abstract: A back support structure for a snowboard boot includes a back support member for supporting a back surface of an ankle and a linking mechanism coupled to the back support member for coupling the back support member to a leg member of the snowboard boot. The linking mechanism includes a first pivot coupling and a second pivot coupling so that the back support member may pivot relative to the leg member around multiple axes to accommodate complex sideways inclinations of the leg.

Abstract: A snowshoe heel lift for preventing heel strain and fatigue is disclosed. The snowshoe heel lift described herein is comprised of a substantially planar heel platform and a bail member coupled thereto. The bail member articulates between a deployed and a retracted position. When in the deployed condition, the bail member abuts against an external support which is coupled to the heel platform. The external support keeps the bail member deployed and the bail member and external support are together capable of supporting the weight of a snowshoer, without collapsing. A heel lift and snowshoe combination is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a traction device that is selectively removable from a threaded aperture and allows for the operative engagement of the traction device into a threaded aperture without requiring the rotation of the traction member relative to the threaded receptacle. The traction device includes a head and a shaft projecting from the head. The head may include any of a variety of ground engaging members such as wedges, spikes or teeth. A plurality of fins extend from the shaft and exhibit substantially equal flex resistance towards the head and away from the head. Upon operable engagement, the fins are biased between successive threads. The traction device may be configured to provide a substantially equal insertion force and extraction force.

Abstract: A snowplow for selective attachment to a vehicle, comprising a frame, a blade attached to the frame, and a latching mechanism that is movable to first and second positions to allow selective engagement or disengagement of the snowplow with the vehicle. The latching mechanism is operable by a user from a location point remote from underneath the vehicle.

Abstract: An excavating machine includes a main frame, an endless digging chain, and a boom. The boom is mounted to the main frame and is adapted to carry the digging chain. The boom includes an upper surface, a lower surface, an inner end and outer end. The surfaces are adapted to slidably engage the chain. A drive sprocket is mounted to the main frame and is disposed at the inner end of the boom for engaging the chain. A wear plate is mounted to the boom and is disposed between the drive sprocket and the inner end of the boom for slidably engaging the chain between the drive sprocket and the upper surface of the boom inner end.

Abstract: A publication viewer for viewing sequential pages of a bound publication, printed on pages attached to a flexible strip of material. The pages include printed text pages and groups of animated pages of drawings or photographs. Indexing notches on the pages are either tagged or untagged so that printed text pages can be viewed for an extended period of time, while the groups of animated pages are viewed in quick succession. The viewer itself is a rectangular box including a rectangular opening with an open view portion for sequentially displaying pages of the publication, and a release button for continuing the advancement of the pages. The back of the box has a rectangular opening through which the publication is loaded into the viewer. A drive mechanism in the form of an AC or DC electrical motor, or a spring wound motor, is operatively connected to a first, bottom shaft.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for displaying goods is disclosed. The method pertains to the provision of a structure containing at least two parallel rails which define a plane area, wherein the rails are adapted to cooperate each with the other to mount and maintain in the plane area without fastening devices extraneous to the structure a rigid surface upon which is attached the goods to be displayed. The apparatus pertains to an example of a specific structure, and variations thereof, which is employed according to the method.

Abstract: A shelf mounted display sign designed in particular for supermarkets having product shelves with pricing tracks, the display sign having a mechanical shelf clip connected to a vertical battery canister that has a cap with indicator lights and a vertical sign bracket with a flexible sign having a side edge engaged in the vertical sign bracket, the shelf mounted display sign also including in one embodiment the electronic circuitry and components to function as a triggering device to remotely activate a product promotion or advertisement on a display or a shopping cart proximate the triggering device.

Abstract: A polymeric resin molded frame insert is combined fittingly with a molded polymeric resin frame to produce a display frame with four centrally disposed symmetrical display openings, with four compact disc cases secured thereon so that the transparent front cover of each compact disc case appears in one of the four display openings, showing therethrough whatever items of visual interest have been installed behind the compact disc case covers.

Abstract: A buttstock is described which contains an enclosure for storage of tools and parts, and which is totally accessible to the user through a butt plate held in place by a removable pin. This buttstock invention also has a sling attachment device which is designed to be positionable on either side of the buttstock, for either left or right side carrying and which cooperates with the butt plate pin to hold each in position. The sling attachment devices is relocatable with mounting points at various places on the stock to permit multiple user carrying styles. This invention affords assembly and disassembly without the use of special tools and therefore can be easily done by the user in the field. This invention is also preferably composed of a strong light weight material which is adapted for ease of use, is non-corrosive, and supports low cost manufacture.

Abstract: The invention comprises an automatic fishhook setting device wherein a lever may be engaged by the tug of a fish strike on a fishing line to release the tension of a spring. The spring will then snap the line to set the fishhook in the fish. It is possible to adjust both the spring tension and the amount of pull needed to engage the device. The device may also be mounted from a variety of fishing positions.

Abstract: A fishing lure is disclosed which is molded from the cast of a natural baitfish in a method which has increased the thickness in dimension of the original fins and tail section for the purpose of increasing the fishing lures durability and ease of manufacture.

Abstract: An insulated plant cover (10) having a transparent or translucent inner cylinder (12) which has an inner cylinder top (12T) and an inner cylinder bottom (12B). The inner cylinder top (12T) has an inner cylinder top chimney (12TA) positioned at a top distal end and an inner cylinder bottom spacer (12BA) positioned circumferentially along a bottom distal end and is sealably attached thereto. The insulated plant cover (10) further has a transparent or translucent outer cylinder (14) which comprises an outer cylinder top (14T) and an outer cylinder bottom (14B). The outer cylinder top (14T) has an outer cylinder top upper edge (14TA) positioned circumferentially along a top distal end and an outer cylinder bottom lower edge (14TB) positioned circumferentially along a bottom distal end. The inner cylinder (12) is positioned within the outer cylinder (14). The inner cylinder bottom edge (12BB) is sealably attached to the inner cylinder bottom spacer (12BA).

Abstract: A floral display holder has a hollow body with a frontal recess for receiving a water-absorbing foam, and a manual pump to draw water from a lower portion defining a liquid reservoir. The floral display holder has U-shaped clips to secure the foam generally against a floor surface of the recess. The water drawn with the pump is directed onto the foam, thereby replenishing the foam with additional water.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced, pourable, soil substrate for supporting vegetation, comprising substantially undecayable, loose, individual, untwisted or carded plastic fibers in the form of filaments having lengths of from about 1 cm to about 10 cm; a slowly decomposable, difficultly decayable, organic, fibers and the balance easily decayable organic constituents and aggregates. The substrate has a thickness of from about 0.5 cm to about 30 cm.

Abstract: A turnstile with a housing, a drive and a locking element with a barrier arm is set in motion following verification of the access authorization of a user wishing to pass, rotating the barrier arm from its blocking position into a position out of line of passage. The advance of the user is then detected by a downstream sensor, in particular an opto-electronic sensor, which causes the barrier arm to rotate further in the same direction into the blocking position.

Abstract: A portable protective enclosure for small vehicles comprises a plurality of individual planar panel members including a base panel, a roof panel, a front panel, a rear panel, a left side panel, and a right side panel and mutually engaging attachment devices for releasably joining the individual panel members into an integrated assembled structure. The base panel and the roof panel lie in parallel spaced apart planes, likewise the front panel and the rear panel, and the left side panel and the right side panel, and all serve for selectively enveloping a small vehicle therein. Both the roof panel and the base panel include a continuous attachment groove spaced from their peripheral edges in what is to become their interior surfaces.

Abstract: A trenchless landscape edging system and corresponding components and methods are disclosed. The system includes a plurality of anchoring members, an edging member having no or substantially no barrier extending downwardly therefrom and corresponding interconnecting or adjoining blocks having recesses disposed therein. The blocks, in combination with the anchoring members and the edging member, may be employed to separate adjoining lawn, garden, walkway, driveway or other areas from one another. The present invention permits the effects of undesired displacement forces acting on the blocks, such as frost heave, to be reduced or minimized and further permits rapid installation of the system since no trench for receiving lawn edging need be excavated.

Abstract: A construction board having a number of marks or lines which facilitate the installation of such board to a number of supports in a building, house or the like. Such lines may have a number of different arrangements. For example, the lines may be arranged as a plurality of substantially horizontal and/or vertical lines which have a predetermined distance or distances therebetween. Such distance or distances may correspond to the standard spacing between supports (such as 16 or 24 inches). Alternatively the spacing between lines may have a relatively small value, such as 1/2 of an inch, 1 inch, 11/2 inches, 2 inches or the like. Additionally, adjacent lines may have respective characteristics (such as different colors) so as to easily distinguish between adjacent lines. As a result, a worker may easily install a construction board in a relatively small amount of time and the number of fasteners (nails, screws, or the like) which "miss" a support member may be eliminated or reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a moment-resistant structure, sustainer, and method of construction for deformably resisting episodic loads, particularly those of high intensity. The episodic loads may be due to earthquake, impact, or other intense episodic sources. The structure and sustainer may be in buildings, bridges, or other civil works, land vehicles, watercraft, aircraft, spacecraft, machinery, or other structural systems or apparati. Deformation capacity is enhanced by the use of multiple dissipative zones. Dissipative zones that function in a manner similar to plastic hinges are determined by one or more voids that are located in the web of a sustainer. The one or more voids are of a size, shape, and configuration to assure that the dissipative zones deform inelastically when a critical stress, i.e.

Abstract: A mounting for a window and at least one shield for protecting the window. In a typical embodiment, the window is rectangular, such as a bus window, and the shield is a thin flexible sheet of plastic. The window is mounted on elastomeric seals in a metallic frame and held in place by a second set of elastomeric seals. The shield is placed in a pre-formed trench of the inner elastomeric seals which creates an air gap preventing contact between the shield and the window. An inwardly curved and flexible lip extending above the trench is capable of bending back to conform to the surface of the shield when installed to form a water tight seal and to help hold the shield in place.

Abstract: A dominant and secondary component cooperate with an office panel frame to define a light transmitting port through the office panel frame. The dominant component is supported by the office panel frame and the secondary component is supported by the dominant component. The dominant and secondary components cooperate to provide improved safety features and more effectively distribute accidental forces to the office panel frame.

Abstract: A cover for an elongated and relatively narrow tank or channel is formed from a series of panels arranged in parallel, edge-to-edge fashion, each panel spanning across the channel and resting on rims of the channel. Each panel is formed of a large plurality of side-by-side, preferably edge-connected deck slats having lengths extending in the longitudinal direction of the channel. At junctions between adjacent panels, structural transverse members have deck slat receiving channels for engaging with and supporting ends of the deck slats. In preferred embodiments the transverse structural members are generally L-shaped, with the L-shaped structural member of one channel nesting into the L-shaped structural channel of an adjacent panel, providing for removal of alternate panels by lifting. Deck slats include special handle slats for inclusion near the two transverse ends of the removable panels to enable lifting of the panels for access to the tank or channel.

Abstract: An air vent insert for mounting to the perimeter of a vent opening in a building structure to provide threaded mounting holes for an air vent cover. The insert includes an open frame having front and back faces, generally rectangular inner and outer perimeter edges, a spaced apart pair of elongate end members and a spaced apart pair of elongate side members extending between the end members. The inner perimeter edge of the frame defines a central opening. The frame is designed for mounting to a building structure around the periphery of an air vent opening in the building structure such that the center opening of the frame extends around the outer periphery of the air vent opening in the building structure. The frame is also designed for mounting an air vent cover thereto such that the air vent cover substantially covers the central opening.

Abstract: There is disclosed an improved method of installing wall-to-wall carpet. The method comprises installing a wall-to-wall carpet on a substrate bounded at least partially by opposed walls by applying to the substrate an intermediate member having a top surface, applying to the top surface of the intermediate member the bottom surface of the carpet, the top surface of the intermediate member and the bottom surface of the carpet being constructed such that the surfaces resist relative movement between the intermediate member and the carpet; and cutting the carpet to conform to a desired shape at least partially bounded on two sides by the opposed walls.

Abstract: An I-beam for use in construction, built-up from a web held between a pair of laminated flanges. Each flange includes a first laminate made of oriented strand lumber and a second laminate laminated to the first laminate. The web is between the first laminates.

Abstract: A loose-fill insulation product is provided which includes a dry mixture of loose-fill fiberglass and an inorganic (being composed of matter other than plant or animal) adhesive in the form of a redispersible powder. During application, the dry loose-fill mixture is coated with a liquid (e.g. water) so as to activate the adhesive. Thereafter, the loose-fill mixture with activated adhesive is blown or sprayed into a cavity (open or closed) so as to insulate same. According to certain embodiments, this mixture may be blown into open attic areas so as to insulate same and reduce the movement of loose-fill insulation. It has been found that the redispersible powder (RP) dry adhesive mixes more uniformly within the dry mixture and clings better to the glass fibers when the mixture is substantially free of anti-static material. In certain embodiments, a color dye is provided in the mixture, and is activated upon installation.

Abstract: A zipper sealer machine for use with form, fill and seal machines and the method for bonding strips of reclosable fastener material strip fastener material to the film of a form fill and seal machine. The zipper sealer machine is adapted to be mounted within in the form, fill and seal machine and coordinate with the components of the form, fill and seal machine such as its film control mechanism. The zipper sealer machine includes a substantially symmetrically formed rotor having a pair of outer edges. Reclosable fastener material strip fastener material is fed to an outer edge of the rotor and cut to length. The cutting process also fuses the cut ends of the reclosable fastener material strip fastener material . The rotor is rotated 180 degrees, which locates the strip of reclosable fastener material strip fastener material adjacent to the film course at which it is bonded to the film.

Abstract: A portable vacuum apparatus comprises a vacuum chamber to be filled with lidded jars, bottles or other containers containing foodstuff or other products for the purpose of storing the contents under vacuum. The vacuum chamber is composed of a platform covered by a layer of a resilient material serving as a seal, and of a removable cover seated on the platform. The chamber is pipe-connected to an electrically operated vacuum pump and to an automatic valve connecting the chamber with the atmosphere in open state. To evacuate the chamber and the jars the valve is manually closed and the pump is started exhausting air from the chamber and the jars. The valve is adapted to open automatically as soon as the required vacuum has been reached and to interrupt the electric supply to the pump motor. The valve is designed to open a wide passageway to the chamber causing the air to rush in and to create a shock wave.

Abstract: A method for packaging bulk goods into an intermediate bulk container including the steps of placing an inner package made of a flexible resilient material onto a base, providing the inner package with a reinforcement structure in an interior thereof, filling the interior of the inner package with bulk goods whereby the inner package obtains substantially the shape of a parallelepiped, and then surrounding the inner package and at least a portion of the base with an outer package made of a plastic material to firmly secure the inner package to the base via the outer package.

Abstract: A hygienic packaging machine having disinfecting means throughout is disclosed herein. The disinfecting means may be a photosemiconductor catalyst or antimicrobial stainless steel. The disinfecting means is used in areas of potential microorganism growth. These areas include wherever water may accumulate, areas hidden from the cleaning mechanism, comers of the table to of the machine, and other similar areas. The photosemiconductor catalyst is activated by exposure to light and water. The antimicrobial stainless steel is self activating. The disinfecting means may be used on a machine such as a TETRA REX.RTM. packaging machine for forming, filling and sealing gable top cartons.

Abstract: A method of producing products from polymer materials having a medicamentous depot effect, characterized by the steps of: mixing the starting materials; shaping the mixture into a desired mold; introducing the resultant mold into a protective packaging; and curing and sterilizing the mold in the protective packaging.

Abstract: A method of marking and packaging golf balls in which each golf ball in a box or package is marked with a common multi-digit indicia and by a separate marking separately identifying each ball in the box or package and in which all of the golf balls in another box or package are marked with another common multi-digit indicia which differs from the previous package according to a predetermined sequence.

Abstract: A bagging system that facilitates the loading of objects into a container, includes a conveyor, hopper elements, a bagging element, and a controller. The conveyor transports the objects to be loaded into the container. The hopper elements permit objects from the conveyor to be loaded into the container in a first state and prevent objects from being loaded into the container in a second state. The bagging element holds the container to be filled with the objects from the conveyor. The bagging element includes a foot element that moveably supports the container at a number of different positions. The controller connects to the conveyor, the hopper elements, and the bagging element to control their operation.

Abstract: A round baler for fibrous agricultural material including compression and delivery elements, a main drive for driving the same, a wrapping apparatus, and at least one load sensor provided in the drive line for the compression elements for generating a control signal for actuation of the wrapping apparatus and/or turning off of the delivery elements.

Abstract: Broadly, one aspect of the present invention is an articulated combine having increased on-board grain storage capacity (e.g., 1,200 bushels) and which is composed of a forward unit having an operator's cab, an engine, a grain harvesting assembly, a grain transfer assembly, and being devoid of an on-board grain bin; and a rearward unit jointedly attached to the forward section and having, steerable and powered wheels, an on-board grain bin for receiving grain from the forward section grain transfer assembly, and a grain off-loading assembly. The grain transfer assembly, joint, and grain off-loading assembly and controls, form other aspects of the present invention.

Abstract: A grass/lawn mower vehicle having a mower unit, and mechanism for transporting grass clippings cut by the mower unit through a suitable duct. The vehicle includes a grass catcher for collecting the grass clippings transported through the duct, a lid for opening and closing an opening of the grass catcher, a horizontal axis for connecting the grass catcher and the lid to be pivotable relative to each other, and a control mechanism for raising the grass catcher relative to the vehicle and swinging the grass catcher about the horizontal axis, thereby allowing the grass catcher to dump the grass clippings from an elevated position. The control mechanism includes a parallelogram link mechanism having one side thereof connected to the vehicle, and the other side connected to the lid, and an actuator for moving the link mechanism between a lower position and an upper position, and swinging the grass catcher when the link mechanism is in the upper position.

Abstract: A mower includes a power head, an adjustable frame assembly for use in selectively supporting a first implement, a frame connecting assembly for use in connecting the adjustable frame assembly to the power head, a power connection assembly for use in connecting power from the power head to the first implement, and an implement connection assembly for use in selectively connecting the first implement to the adjustable frame assembly. The adjustable frame assembly can be adjusted and thereby can also selectively support a second implement. The power connection assembly can also be used to connect power from the power head to the second implement and the implement connection assembly can also be used to selectively connect the second implement to the adjustable frame assembly.

Abstract: A cutter assembly for mowing apparatus comprises a sickle guard having individual guards which each consist of a guard body and an upper lip. The guard bodies are connected to a cutter bar via mounting pads. Each guard is provided with a rearward knife slot within which knife sections can move back and forth in a reciprocating manner. A hold-down member is provided to act against an upper face of a knife section, the hold-down member extending through the upper lip.

Abstract: A harvester (10) includes a separator (22) to help separate unwanted plant material from a crop. Separator (22) includes a series of paddles (46) which are rotated in unison by a drive system (50). The crop, which will often comprise a vine or tree crop, and which will ideally comprise raisins (14), falls between rotating paddles (46). Plant materials, such as cane (60), is transported by the tops of the rotating paddles from over cane separator (22).

Abstract: A yarn is spun by dividing a traveling fiber assembly into a plurality of fiber sub-assemblies, causing the sub-assemblies to traverse different paths and then recombining them, wherein the paths are sufficiently proximate for fibers to continuously transfer from one or more of the sub-assemblies and be drawn onto or into another or other sub-assemblies. Also disclosed is a method for forming a yarn comprising twisting a plurality of fiber sub-assemblies together at a convergence point to form a fiber assembly being a yarn, and further including cyclically altering the relative twist propagation in and/or into the sub-assemblies upstream of the convergence point. Still further disclosed are alternative methods involving cyclic variation of paths traversed by the sub-assemblies, and cyclic alteration of the relative positions of the sub-assemblies. Apparatus is described for carrying out each method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spinning device, e.g. an open-end spinning rotor (1) with a fiber guiding surface which is provided with a nickel-diamond coating (3) consisting of at least one inner bearing layer (30) and an outer working layer (31). The diamond grains (40) imbedded in the inner bearing layer (30), with a size between 3.5 .mu.m and 5 .mu.m, are larger than the diamond grains (41) imbedded in the outer working layer (31). The inner bearing layer (30) and working layer (31) are interlaced. In manufacture the fiber guiding surface to be provided with a wear-resistant nickel-diamond coating (3) is subjected to at least two coating procedures, whereby in the first coating procedure the bearing surface (30) is produced with larger diamond grains (40) and in the second coating procedure the working layer (31) is provided with diamond grains (41) which are smaller than the diamond grains imbedded in the bearing layer (30).

Abstract: Precompressor and pre-booster water spray injection apparatus and methods are described. In an exemplary embodiment, a gas turbine engine suitable for use in connection with water spray injection includes a low pressure compressor, a high pressure compressor, and a combustor. The engine also includes a high pressure turbine, a low pressure turbine, and a power turbine. A water injection apparatus is provided for injecting water into an inlet of the high pressure compressor. The water spray injection apparatus is in flow communication with a water supply, and during engine operation, water is delivered from such supply through the injection apparatus to the inlet of the compressor.

Abstract: A reciprocating engine (10) comprises separate cylinders (12 and 15) for air compression and expansion with heating of the compressed air taking place in a heat exchanger (17) or combustor (64) located between the cylinders (12 and 15). The flow of gas into the expander cylinder (15) is controlled by an admission valve (37). The stem (41) of the admission valve (37) extends transversely across the expander cylinder (15) and is cooled by the flow of exhaust gases out of the expander cylinder (15).

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for combining two fluid streams, for example concentric inner (42) and outer (44) fluid streams in a turbine engine, thereby reducing noise emissions of the engine. A mixing system (12) according to the invention has a convoluted mixer body (18) and a fluid communication path (88) situated forwardly of a main mixing zone (54) for inducing a small quantity of fluid to flow from one of the streams and into the other of the streams in response to a differential pressure between the streams. In one specific embodiment, the fluid communication path (88) is a series of circumferentially distributed crossover apertures (92) forwardly of the leading edge (48) of the mixer body (18). In operation, the mixing system circumferentially interleaves the inner and outer streams of a turbine engine and introduces a quantity of fluid from one of the streams into the other of the streams, the fluid introduction occurring prior to or concurrently with the interleaving.

Abstract: A method for controlling an engine exhaust gas system includes the steps of detecting an air-fuel ratio of exhaust gas discharged from an internal engine by an oxygen sensor, controlling the exhaust gas to near the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio by a closed-loop control referring to a resultant signal, and leading the exhaust gas to a three-way catalyst to treat nitrogen oxide, hydrocarbon and carbon monoxide. A nitrogen oxide sensor is provided downstream of the three-way catalyst, and a control value of air-fuel ratio by a closed loop control by the oxygen sensor is corrected to set the nitrogen oxide concentration to a predetermined value in accordance with an output of the nitrogen oxide sensor. The deterioration of the three-way catalyst and/or oxygen sensor is detected by comparing a change in control corrected value for the air-fuel ratio of closed loop control referring to an output of the nitrogen oxide sensor with a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for improving the conversion efficiency of a catalytic converter for treating exhaust gases produced from the combustion of a fuel to at least reduce pollutants from incomplete combustion, wherein the reduction in pollutants is achieved by the introduction of ozone, upstream from the catalytic converter, to improve the efficiency of the catalytic converter.

Abstract: Exhaust gas is caused to flow through a bypass passage during an adsorption mode. At this time, an adsorbing member adsorbs harmful components, e.g. HC, of the exhaust gas. Also, exhaust gas is caused to flow through the bypass passage to thermally desorb the harmful component held at the adsorbing member during a desorption mode. A quantity of heat given from exhaust gas to the adsorbing member during the desorption mode is calculated based on an operation state of an engine. It is determined that the desorption of the harmful components has been finished when the quantity of heat given to the adsorbing member reaches a total quantity of heat required for totally desorbing the harmful components adsorbed by the adsorbing member.

Abstract: A vertically-extending L-shaped exhaust pipe and method of manufacturing same are disclosed. The exhaust pipe includes a drain hole located at the bottom of the horizontal portion of the exhaust pipe for allowing liquids to drain from the pipe in order to avoid harming upstream exhaust system or engine components. An elliptically shaped guide is welded into an arcuate slot immediately upstream of the drain hole and is angled in the downstream direction so as to direct the flow of liquid toward the drain opening and away from upstream exhaust system components. The present invention is simple to manufacture, eliminates the need for a noisy flapper lid, and maintains the structural integrity of the exhaust pipe.

Abstract: A high heat producing system which transforms a alternating current or a pulsating direct current having a relatively low voltage such as one hundred and ten (110v) volts to a very high electric volt arc wherein the very high electric volt arc has a base temperature of, preferably, at least two thousand (2,000.degree. F.) degrees Fahrenheit. A very high electric volt arc is created and encapsulated in a chamber and is propagated through a fuel medium within such chamber to a rotating arc mobilizer. The heat energy of the very high electric volt arc increases the temperature of the fuel medium to further increase the temperature of the high heat producing system. In the preferred embodiment, the high heat producing system is in direct heat transfer with a working fluid in an expansion chamber for powering a turbine or the like.