Did You Know...
...that the video game, Pong, was invented by a guy who graduated at the bottom of his engineering class? Nolan Bushnell spent more time running the games at a local amusement park than he did on his studies at the University of Utah. His dreams of working for Disney's amusement empire were dashed when the company wouldn't hire him. Taking a boring job, Nolan daydreamed about electronic versions of popular games. He invented Pong, the first video game, and went on to found Atari Co.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7998916 | Replacement solvents having improved properties and methods of using the same CFC replacement solvent compositions, methods of using the same and methods of making the same. These compositions meet or exceed the solvency, flammability, and compatibility requirements for CFC's while providing similar or improved environmental and toxicological... | 08/16/2011 |
| 7846332 | Apparatus and method for self-heating and self-hydrating foods and beverages A method and components for heating and hydrating foods and beverages using an exothermic and pressure generating chemical reaction are described. The exothermic reaction can be initiated by water, spark, electrical impulse, squib, friction, or shock to heat non-pot... | 12/07/2010 |
| 7566409 | Replacement solvents having improved properties for refrigeration flushes Chlorofluorocarbon replacement solvents include a main component (first solvent) and a property-modification component (second solvent). The resulting solvent mixtures meet or exceed the solvency, flammability, and compatibility requirements for CFC's while providin... | 07/28/2009 |
| 7429557 | Replacement solvents having improved properties and methods of using the same CFC replacement solvent compositions, methods of using the same and methods of making the same. These compositions meet or exceed the solvency, flammability, and compatibility requirements for CFC's while providing similar or improved environmental and toxicological... | 09/30/2008 |
| 6924326 | Method and formulation using passive electrostaticity for improving filter performance A method treats ordinary filters with an electrostatic material that will turn any filter into a passive electrostatic filter. A formulation is sprayed or otherwise applied onto the filter to increase the filter's ability to effectively reduce indoor air particulate... | 08/02/2005 |
| 6901770 | Removable filter dryer with capacity indicator for vapor compression systems A refrigerant filter/dryer assembly isolates, removes, and replaces a filter/dryer core, and allows the vapor-compression heat pump system to continue to operate while the filter/dryer is being replaced. The refrigerant flow is automatically by-passed and the filter... | 06/07/2005 |
| 6825040 | Method of using a vapor acid test kit An acid test kit uses an indicator paper in a transparent tube which is easily and temporarily inserted in a Schrader-valve at a compressor suction inlet of a refrigeration system. The simplicity, yet sufficient accuracy, of the kit permits several different ways of... | 11/30/2004 |
| 6638431 | Formulation and method for treating wetted surface elements in climate control systems A formulation and method to treat and control microbial growth present in the water of climate control systems such as air conditioner air handlers, dehumidifiers, and humidifiers, which formulation can be entrained and dispersed into to living space air.... | 10/28/2003 |
| 6581399 | Apparatus and method for controlling a magnetic bearing centrifugal chiller A method for controlling operation of a centrifugal cooling apparatus, which has at least one of an evaporator, a centrifugal compressor having a magnetic bearing system, a condenser, and an expansion device, includes monitoring an operating condition of ... | 06/24/2003 |
| 6576473 | Removable test kit and method of use for vapor compression systems A field-installable and removable moisture and/or acid test kit and method is used for a vapor compression system. A moisture and/or acid indicator is provided in the test kit which is installed at a single point location upstream or downstream of the sys... | 06/10/2003 |
| 6565393 | Retrofit arrangement for attaching leads to compressor motor terminals A retrofit arrangement using a non-conductive adaptor body is used to attach leads or lead spade terminations to deteriorated compressor terminals. A secure holding force between the leads or spades attached to the leads and the deteriorated terminals is ... | 05/20/2003 |
| 6514765 | Acid test kit and method of use An acid test kit uses an indicator paper in a transparent tube which is easily and temporarily inserted in a Schrader-valve at a compressor suction inlet of a refrigeration system. The simplicity, yet sufficient accuracy, of the kit permits several differ... | 02/04/2003 |
| 6498725 | Method and two-phase spray cooling apparatus A compact, lightweight, and efficient evaporative spray cooling system is provided for removing high heat fluxes from surfaces of devices such as micro-electronic chips, metal, mirrors, and lasers. The system uses expanding metastable two-phase flow and a... | 12/24/2002 |
| 6463748 | Apparatus and method for controlling a magnetic bearing centrifugal chiller A control system and a method for controlling a centrifugal chiller through which a fluid to be chilled passes includes a chilling apparatus having at least one of each of the following components; an evaporator, a compressor, preferably a magnetic bearin... | 10/15/2002 |
| 6437005 | Active topical skin protectants using polymer coated metal alloys A topical skin protectant formulation containing a barrier cream and an active moiety for protecting warfighters and civilians against all types of harmful chemicals, specifically chemical warfare agents (CWAs). The topical skin protectant offers a barrie... | 08/20/2002 |
| 6429561 | Magnetic bearing system and method of controlling magnetic bearing system A method for controlling magnetic bearings is disclosed. More specifically, this method moves the rotor position setpoint away from the center point between two opposing bearings and closer to one of the bearings. Assuming the force on the rotor is unidir... | 08/06/2002 |
| 6327731 | Clothes washer and dryer system for recycling and reusing graywater A compact, portable clothes washer and dryer system requires no direct water connection or drain line and includes a feed reservoir for holding hot or cold water; a basket for receiving clothes and said water from said feed reservoir; a filtration membran... | 12/11/2001 |
| 6327897 | Method of introducing an in situant into a vapor compression system, especially useful for leak detection, as well as an apparatus for leak detection and a composition useful for leak detection Leaks are detected in a vapor compression system using fluorescent and daylight visible in situants which are introduced to a system by way of a carrier and dissolved into the systems oil or lubricant. This invention teaches the use of POE oil as a univer... | 12/11/2001 |
| 6308523 | Simplified subcooling or superheated indicator and method for air conditioning and other refrigeration systems A simple field installable/removable indicator is usable with a field pressure measurement to indicate the degree of subcooling or superheat of refrigerant in a vapor-compression or refrigeration system. The indicator can be attached to a pipe at an appro... | 10/30/2001 |
| 6301876 | Noble gas storage and flow control system for ion propulsion This invention provides a noble gas storage and delivery system for ion propulsion using an adsorption bed coupled with a primary storage vessel containing compressed gas or two-phase fluid to control the flow and pressure to a thruster component. The ads... | 10/16/2001 |
| 6303039 | Method for treating water over an extended time using tablets and packets A method to control microbial growth and other contaminants present in the water of climate control systems includes using tablets or packets to effectively control the growth of microbes such as fungus, molds, bacteria, and virus present in water for an ... | 10/16/2001 |
| 6286304 | Noble gas storage and delivery system for ion propulsion A method and system for storing and delivering a noble gas for an ion propulsion system where an adsorbent bearing a noble gas is heated within a storage vessel to desorb the noble gas which is then flowed through a pressure reduction device to a thruster... | 09/11/2001 |
| 6269667 | Clothes washer and dryer system for recycling and reusing gray water A compact, portable clothes washer and dryer system requires no direct water connection or drain line and includes a feed reservoir for holding hot or cold water; a basket for receiving clothes and said water from said feed reservoir; a filtration membran... | 08/07/2001 |
| 6205803 | Compact avionics-pod-cooling unit thermal control method and apparatus A thermal control method and apparatus flows refrigerant of a vapor compression system through a plate of an avionics pod so as to provide a compact and efficient cooling technique for aircraft performing a variety of missions. The plate can serve as an e... | 03/27/2001 |
| 6170320 | Method of introducing an additive into a fluid system, especially useful for leak detection, as well as an apparatus for leak detection and a composition useful for leak detection An additive is introduced into a fluid system and dissolved in a carrier fluid which is immiscible or slightly miscible in the fluid system, wherein the carrier fluid is subsequently removed from the fluid system. This method can be used to detect leaks, ... | 01/09/2001 |
| 6136373 | Method for coating reactive metal alloy powders and their use in decomposing and immobilizing organic compounds Metal powders or granules, comprised of at least 2 alloyed metals selected from the group consisting of alkaline metals, alkali metals, transition metals, metalloids, and rare earth metals are coated with an organic monomer, oligomer, polymer, or other or... | 10/24/2000 |
| 6048233 | Retrofit arrangement for attaching leads to compressor motor terminals A retrofit arrangement is used to attach leads to deteriorated compressor terminals and the like. A secure holding force between the leads and the terminals is obtained with a wedging force. A screw arranged at an angle to the terminal can directly provid... | 04/11/2000 |
| 6045637 | Solid-solid hybrid gas generator compositions for fire suppression A solid-solid hybrid gas generator composition includes a solid gas generator material and a solid, flame retardant material. The flame retardant material may include one or more bromine-, chlorine- and phosphorous-containing compounds. The gas generator ... | 04/04/2000 |
| 5996651 | Method and apparatus for introducing liquid additive into vapor-compression systems An injector employs a method for introducing an exact amount of liquid additive into operating vapor-compression systems and the like. The injector has a chamber and a piston-cap which have a loose fitting threaded connection to define a leakage path for ... | 12/07/1999 |
| 5993684 | Composition and method for de-icing and anti-icing surfaces Method and compositions for reducing or removing ice formation from surfaces where the compositions consist essentially of (i) one or more polyhydric alcohols and (ii) one or more non-potassium, low carbon percentage organic compounds, and optionally one ... | 11/30/1999 |
| 5987902 | Additive for improving performance and cooling capacity of vapor compression systems A performance enhancing additive is introduced into a vapor compression system used in cooling and the like. The additive is selected from a class of compounds, e.g. tetraglyme, and added in a predetermined concentration measured relative to the mass of t... | 11/23/1999 |
| 5924847 | Magnetic bearing centrifugal refrigeration compressor and refrigerant having minimum specific enthalpy rise A vapor compression refrigeration system, such as a water chiller, uses a centrifugal compressor with magnetic bearings and a refrigerant, specifically HFC-227ea and HFC-227ca, to minimize enthalpy rise across the compressor and/or provide compression in ... | 07/20/1999 |
| 5922926 | Method and system for the destruction of hetero-atom organics using transition-alkaline-rare earth metal alloys A method and system decomposes or immobilizes organic wastes using a metal alloy agent comprised of at least two metals selected from transition metals, alkaline metal and/or and rare earth metals. The method first uses hydrogen and oxygen, with and witho... | 07/13/1999 |
| 5868937 | Process and system for recycling and reusing gray water A process and system recycles and reuses gray water generated by dishwashers, showers, carwashes, and clothes washers while maintaining the same cleaning performance as current systems. Hollow-fiber membrane ultrafiltration is used to reduce fresh water s... | 02/09/1999 |
| 5862675 | Electrically-driven cooling/heating system utilizing circulated liquid A system is adapted to be vehicle mounted and powered by a D.C. source coupled with an inverter to cool individuals or temperature sensitive hardware under uncomfortable ambient conditions. The system includes a pumped liquid circulation loop which can be... | 01/26/1999 |
| 5826436 | Additive for improving performance and cooling capacity of vapor compression systems A performance enhancing additive is introduced into a vapor compression system used in cooling and the like. The additive is selected from a class of compounds, e.g. tetraglyme, and added in a predetermined concentration measured relative to the mass of t... | 10/27/1998 |
| 5770048 | Method for removal of acid from compressor oil An alcohol, specifically ethanol, methanol and isopropanol, is used to remove acid from a refrigeration system, a heat pump or an air conditioner. The alcohol vaporizes acid, primarily inorganic acid, in the system and, in the filter/dryer, reacts with su... | 06/23/1998 |
| 5647226 | Phase change apparatus for animal parts, human body parts, body fluids and culture Phase-change materials are used to preserve temperature-sensitive items such as biological specimens without subjecting the latter to extreme heat or extreme cold. Such use provides active thermal control due to melting and solidification of the phase-cha... | 07/15/1997 |
| 5638689 | Portable refrigerant recovery system A portable, electrically powered refrigerant recovery system and method uses a single manifold to reduce fabrication time and costs. A hot gas discharge port in combination with a check valve allows the recovery system to be utilized as a vacuum pump as w... | 06/17/1997 |
| 5632904 | Water disinfection method using metal-ligand complexes Metal-ligand complexes produced by coordination chemistry for use as a biocide and a method for detoxifying water or effluent are disclosed. Metallic biocides are bound with acceptable complexing agents as a type of coordination compound to shield the met... | 05/27/1997 |
