BUTTERFLY VALVES U.S. patents 4,964,431 (1990);4,967,778 (1990); 5,000,213 (1991); 5,005,804 (1991); 5,029,599 (1991); 5,067,506 (1991); 5,102,097 (1992); 5,113,910 (1992); and earlier ones PROBLEM ADDRESSED reduced torque butterfly valves for fluid control TECHNICAL APPROACH a number of torque reduction innovations involving alteration of area distribution of valve plate about its pivot axis in response to orientation-dependent fluid dynamic flow forces: (1) translation of plate with respect to axis, (2) extensible wings from plate, (3) change of pivot axis location, (4) flow-modification from protrusions, (5) exposure of hole in plate June 11, 1998 POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS fluid control in transportation systems, oil and process pipelines, and manufacturing BENEFITS reduction in weight, size and cost from use of smaller actuators; reduction in valve failures due to reduced torque loads translationwingsprotrusionshole exposure flow Example 1

REGULATED BI-DIRECTIONAL DC-TO-DC VOLTAGE CONVERTER U.S. patents 5,140,509 (1992); 5,255,174 (1993) PROBLEM ADDRESSED compact device for increasing or decreasing DC voltages TECHNICAL APPROACH uses pulse width modulation from semiconductor rectifiers and transistors in bridge and boost circuits with a single transformer and inductor for transforming and demodulating voltage pulses POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS aerospace power distribution, electric vehicle voltage conversion, electric utility low loss DC transmission, solar power modules BENEFITS size, weight and cost savings from shared and dual use of components, low electromagnetic interference June 11, 1998 Bridge converter Transformer Boost converter Example 1

STABLE PASSIVE COMPOSITE MAGNETIC BEARINGS U.S. patents 5,270,601 (1993); 5,196,748 (1993) PROBLEM ADDRESSED bearings with low loss, spatial stability, rigidity, and high load capacity TECHNICAL APPROACH (1) composite material comprising granules of Type II superconducter and granules of rare-earth permanent magnets distributed in a tough polymeric binder, with stability provided by Type II pinning of magnetic field lines and rigidity and load capacity by magnet granules (2) additional spatial stability provided by high gradients of opposing alternating polarity magnets POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS rotor and thrust support in machinery, levitation for high speed transportation BENEFITS easily machinable bearings with high load capacity, rigid alignment and longitudinal stability, long life, and low parasitic power loss June 10, 1998 N S SN Composite of magnetic and superconductor granules Opposing support magnets Example 1

LIQUID DENSITY MEASUREMENT U.S. patent 5,237,853 (1993) PROBLEM ADDRESSED determination of liquid density TECHNICAL APPROACH use of a fluidic oscillator in combination with a pressure divider and a differential pressure transducer: density of liquid proportional to the differential pressure across the oscillator divided by the square of the oscillation frequency June 12, 1998 POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS detection of air in oil in transportation systems and in manufacturing processes; detection of contaminant liquids in fluids; determination of fluid mass in storage tanks from liquid level measurements BENEFITS relatively light-weight and low-volume measurement apparatus; reduction of measuring device weight by over 90% by use of differential pressure transducer in place of precision pressure regulator Fluidic oscillator Processor dP transducer pressure divider Example 2

MECHANICALLY IMPROVED HEAT EXCHANGERS U.S. patents 5,181,561 (1993); 5,183,106 (1993) PROBLEM ADDRESSED strong and leak-resistant fluid heat exchangers TECHNICAL APPROACH (1) integral short-length ferrules on a stiffener plate; (2) corner members which interlock with extensions of header bars June 12, 1998 POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS reliable heat exchangers in vibration-prone environments BENEFITS low mechanical stress concentrations, ease of manufacture. Stiffener plate with ferrulesInterlocking corner supports Example 3