Other

Amoco Corporation

Hunter Douglas,inc.

Hunter Douglas International N.v.

Identechs Corporation

Electro Spray Co.

Irwin Ginsburgh

Clyde LeRoy Tichenor

Darrell J Metcalf

Steven J Bierend

Michael S Butkovich

Shri K Goyal

Hamid Saghatchi

Geoffrey L Taylor

Dean G Venardos

Gerard V LaLonde

Joseph A Harrington

Larry Zuchowski

Ciro D Sorrentino

Clyde I Tichenor

John A Carlson, Iii

An aircraft fuel tank ullage safety system ( ) that is designed to maintain the fuel tank ullage ( ) of an aircraft fuel tank ( ) filled with nitrogen. The nitrogen prevents the fuel tank ullage ( ) from becoming filled with flammable fuel fumes which can cause an explosion. The system ( ) consists of at least one flexible, resilient, air-enclosing container ( ) having a container ullage ( ) that is dimensioned to substantially occupy the space of the fuel tank ullage ( ), a differential pressure sensor ( ) that determines the internal pressure of the aircraft's fuel tank ( ) and a microcontroller ( ) that controls and maintains the volume of the air-enclosing container ( ) as determined by the differential pressure sensor ( ).

Aircraft fuel tank ullage safety system

An aerosol spray can ( ) that can only be operated when connected to an a-c utility power source provided by a power cord ( A) connected to an external activator ( ). The can is modified by adding internally, a movable armature ( ) that operates a valve assembly ( ) connected to a spray head ( ). When the armature is not energized by the attached activator ( ), the valve assembly ( ) remains in a closed position, preventing the flow of paint. Conversely, when the movable armature ( ) is energized by the activator ( ), the valve assembly ( ) opens allowing paint to be sprayed when the spray head ( ) is depressed.

Utility-power operated pressurized spray can

A system for reversibly rotating a shaft for operation of the control system in a covering for an architectural opening includes two relatively linearly moveable members at least one of which has a low friction component engaging a helical path on the other so that linear movement of the members causes relative rotation to drive the rotatable shaft of the control system.

Control wand for coverings for architectural openings

Apparatus for facilitating the mixing, absorption and/or retention of carbon dioxide 'CO2' in hydrocarbon fuel to economically produce a safety-enhanced and/or improved-combustion fuel. The apparatus includes at least one mixing receptacle having at least one coupling with a controllable inert gas supply; at least one coupling with a controllable hydrocarbon fuel supply; and at least one coupling with a CO2-enriched fuel fuel-line. The mixing receptacle(s) is configured to retain a volume of fuel and a volume of CO2 such that CO2-enriched fuel having a controllable gas-fuel ratio is the product of the mixing receptacle(s) and the gas of the ratio(s) exceeds 0.1 volume of CO2 per volume of fuel and is less than approximately 3 volumes per volume of fuel when conveyed from the receptacle(s). The apparatus controls the exposure of hydrocarbon fuel molecules to an optimal volume of CO2 within the receptacle(s). One embodiment of the invention includes the adaptation of the apparatus to existing fuel-burning devices, i.e. for retrofitting the apparatus thereto. The apparatus mixes and/or stores CO2 in the fuel to achieve one or more of the following benefits: fuel receptacle safety-enhancement; improved engine combustion; reduction in undesirable emissions such as soot particulate; reduction in fuel droplet size; and/or, reduced fuel viscosity.

Economical apparatus for producing improved combustion and safety-enhanced fuel

A safety-enhancing management system for storing, transporting, or transferring hydrocarbon fuel whereby inert gas conveyance provides hydrocarbon fuel receptacles with a combustion suppressing volume of inert gas which displaces potentially combustible fuel vapor/air mixtures which can otherwise collect in the ullages of such receptacles. In one embodiment the inert gas is readily stored, transported, and conveyed in an inert gas-enriched fuel that degasses inert gas from the fuel within one or more receiving receptacles ullage(s). In a second embodiment, a separate controllable supply of inert gas, such as carbon dioxide, is storable in one or more gas receptacle(s), in a gaseous or liquefied state. The inert gas from one or more fuel receptacle(s) is conveyed via a controllable gas conveyance and wherein such conveyance may also be aided by such gas control as a computer controllable valve, and/or pump, or by the employment of a heat device to facilitate the change of state expansion of the inert gas that is stored in a liquid state. Excess inert gas liberated from within the gas-enriched fuel can optionally be captured and may be pumped back into various fuel receptacle(s), or can be re-stored in the gas receptacles in any state in these fuel systems and as also may be placed aboard aircraft.

Fuel safety management system for storing, transporting, or transferring hydrocarbon fuel

A utility-power operated tamper-proof pressurized spray can (10) which can only be operated when connected to a utility a-c Power source. Thus, its use to spray graffiti is prevented or at least minimized. The spray can (10) is presented in two design configurations. In the first design, a solenoid/valve assembly is mounted on the top cover of a spray can and on the second design the solenoid/valve assembly is located on the can's lower cover. The first design utilizes a housing (12) that encloses the solenoid/valve assembly which consists of an upper fixed armature (20), a moving armature (36) and a lower fixed armature (58). Between the upper fixed armature (20) and the moving armature (36) is inserted a compliant leaf (48) that functions as a valve. Around the housing (12) is removably attached an electric coil (86) that when connected to a utility a-c power source produces a magnetic field that is applied to the solenoid/valve assembly. The magnetic field causes the moving armature (36) to be displaced which separates the complaint leaf (48) which then allows paint to flow upwards and be sprayed. The arrangement of the upper fixed armature (20) and the moving armature (36) precludes the use of a permanent magnet to cause the moving armature (36) to move downward into the paint spraying positions

Utility-power operated tamper-proof pressurized spray can

A balance-shifted personal carriage (19) designed for physically challenged persons such as paraplegics confined to wheelchairs. The carriage (19) basically consists of a base frame assembly (13) that supports a seating assembly (15) a pair of free pivoting wheels (18) located in the front, a pair of steerable wheels (20) controlled by the rider and located in the back, and a centrally located power wheel (22) that is controlled by the rider. The balanced-shifted carriage (19) is operated in either of two modes of operation: in Mode 1, the rider shifts their weight backwards to allow the steerable wheels to contact the floor at which time the power wheel (2) is made to rotate to propel the carriage; in Mode 2, the rider shifts their weight forward to cause the steerable wheels (20)to rise and allow the pivoting wheels (12) to contact the floor allowing the rider to pivot and move the carriage away from an obstacle.

Balance shifted personal carriage

A utility-power operated, tamper-proof pressurized spray can (12) that can only be operated when connected to a-c utility power. Thus, its use to spray graffiti is prevented or at the very least minimized. The preferred embodiment of the invention consists of a spray can (12) having a housing opening (12B) to which is hermetically attached a solenoid housing (14). The housing (14), encloses a standard spray control valve (18) having in series, a linear-motion solenoid assembly (22) consisting of a stationary armature (24), a movable armature (28) and an external, separable movable-armature activator (40). The stationary armature (24) is rigidly attached to the housing (12), has a lower guide tube bore (24H) therethrough and an upward facing spring cavity (24G) which retains a spring (26). The movable armature (28) is located atop the stationary armature (24) and has an upper guide bores (24H,28C) is inserted a guide tube (32) which functions to deliver paint and as a positioning guide for the movable armature (28). The activator (40) includes an electromagnetic coil (42) that fits over the solenoid housing (14). When a-c power is not applied to the activator (40), the movable armature (28) remains in an upward position that prevents paint flow. When power is applied, the movable armature (28) moves to a downward position which allows paint to flow when a spray head (20) in the spray control valve (18), is depressed.

An aerosol spray can (12) that can only be operated when connected to an a-c utility power source provided by a power cord (22) that includes a power-line activator (30). Thus, the use of an aerosol spray can (12) to spray graffiti is prevented or at least minimized. The can (12) is modified by attaching to its upper section (14) a valve attachment port (16) to which is attached a lower fluid port (86) located on a slide and twist valve (80). The valve (80) also includes an upper fluid port (84) having a check valve (88) that opens when a standard spray head (26) is depressed and a permanent magnet piston (90) having a fluid passage bore (96). When no power is applied, a compression spring (94) positions the piston (90) with the bore (96) misaligned in both a radial and longitudinal position that prevents the passage of the fluid. Conversely, when power is applied, an electromagnet (36) in the power-line activator (30) aligns the fluid passage bore (96) with the upper and lower fluid ports (84,86) to allow fluid to pass when the spray head (26) is depressed.

Utility-power operated aerosol spray can

An optical system (10) that images a section of a textured surface and through non-symetrical optics creates a unique integrated image of its topology which allows specific identifications to be recorded and compared at a later date. A recording device (60) is mounted at the rear of a cylinder spread lens assembly (26) which in turn attaches to a lens support tube (28) that is clamped by a lens support assembly (50) that traverses along a vee-track (52). A spherical achromatic lens (24) images an illuminated surface (30) of the textured surface upon a cylinder spread lens (26b) which then presents a image to the detector/recording surface (34). The system (10) is initially located normal to the illuminated surface (30) at an acute illumination angle .phi..sub.1 for coarse positioning. An illuminated image line (32) for the acute angle .phi..sub.1 is supplied by a lamp (14) via a light mask (16) and a cylinder lens (22). After the textured surface is positioned, the system is moved to a position along the vee-track at an acute angle of reflection .phi..sub.2 for precise surface identification and recording.

Optical system for surface verification

A process is disclosed wherein at least two separate gaseous oxygen streams are passed into a coker transfer line to effect oxidation of a portion of the feed passing through the transfer line. Another aspect of the process is disclosed wherein gaseous oxygen is passed into a coking process and sludge is also passed into the coking process.

Oxygen addition to a coking zone and sludge addition with oxygen addition

The anti-theft device for use in a liquid storage tank having an opening in an upper wall of the tank for receiving and mounting an access fill pipe which receives therein a drop tube having an access port. The anti-theft device comprises a mounting ring; a plug; a truncated porous hollow cone having a larger upper end fixed to the mounting ring and a smaller lower end fixed to the plug which is disposed generally concentric with the elongate axis of the drop tube. The plug may also be provided with a shaped key-way opening to allow gauging of liquid contents of a storage tank with a gauge level stick. The mounting ring of the truncated porous hollow cone is attached to the drop tube within the access fill pipe at a point below the access port of the drop tube and above the upper wall of the storage tank. The key-way opening of the plug can be T-shaped, cross-shape, C-shape, or of a circular-shape.

Anti-theft device for tank openings

An autostereoscopic presentation system (10) that allows a perceived three-dimensional volumetric image (26) to be viewed without any viewing implements. The system (10), in its preferred embodiment, consists of an enhanced film strip (12) having first and second photographic frames (14), (18) where each frame consists of a two-dimensional optical image (16), (20) further having a conventional image (16a), (20a) and a matted image (16b), (20b). The film strip is back projected onto two stationary screens (30), (32) that are juxtaposed in planar separation and where each screen operates in either a translucent mode or a clear mode. A timing and synchronizing circuit (40) in combination with a pair of light responding circuits (48), (49) selects and controls the operational modes of the screens (30), (32) and synchronizes the screen operational modes with the respective alternating projection of the two-dimensional optical images (16), (20). By rapid alternate projections of the optical images onto the screens (30), (32) that are operating in their respective operational mode, the perceived three-dimensional image is produced.

Autostereoscopic presentation system

A method and apparatus for propelling a borescope being used to inspect inaccessible areas comprises one or more reaction jets attached to the borescope, the reaction jets expelling gas, liquid or other fluids to produce a reaction thrust force on the borescope. In one embodiment, a reaction jet is fastened to the remote head of an articulateable borescope, and the propulsion direction is controlled by an operator who views a desired aim point at the output end of the borescope cable, and articulates the borescope head to point at the desired aim point. In another embodiment, the orientation of the thrust vector of the reaction jets is controllable, permitting an operator to control the direction of travel of a borescope not necessarily possessing an independent articulation capability.

Growing community of inventors

Newhall, CA, United States of America

Irwin Ginsburgh