Abstract: A computer-implemented system for designing a pressure-dosed drain field comprising: a screen that allows a user to specify length and diameter for pipes that comprise the forcemain and discharge assembly, specify the pumping liquid level and discharge elevation, select the number of laterals and enter a specified residual pressure, enter or select a coefficient to be used in calculating friction losses, and enter the diameter and length of each manifold segment; a minor loss screen that calculates minor losses based on fitting selections made by the user; a pump file; a tabulated results screen; a gauge screen; and system and pump curves. A computer-implemented method of using the above system to design a pressure-dosed drain field. The purpose of the system and method is to enable an engineer to design a pressure-dosed drain field that will meet regulatory requirements for the system flow differential.

Abstract: An adjustable apparatus for fish spawning that is suspended below a buoyant float system at a predetermined depth. The apparatus is resistant to vertical motion by surface waves, and may provide additional aeration for egg species that require a high level of dissolved oxygen in order to incubate successfully. The apparatus may be constructed so as to provide maximum or minimum sunlight exposure to spawning bed nests and to accommodate the spawning depth and/or preferred bed slopes of certain fish species.

Abstract: A system for obfuscating data across an enterprise, comprising a rule evaluator; an active rule editor; and an active rule editor repository; wherein the rule evaluator evaluates active rules and optimizes its behavior based on both user-specified guidance and properties learned during system execution; wherein the active rule editor provides functionality for specifying, examining, maintaining, simulating and testing active rule behavior and for documenting rules that are bound to any named and typed data spaces of the enterprise that are accessible through connectors to the data systems of the enterprise; and wherein the active rule editor and repository provide functionality for promoting a candidate rule to an active rule and managing the rule in its active state. A method for obfuscating data across an enterprise using the system described above.

Abstract: A stemless ball valve comprising two flanges and a ball with a channel, two axis pins and two travel pins. One end of each axis and travel pin is fixedly attached to the ball, and the other end of each axis pin is lodged into a notch in the first or second flange such that the axis pin is allowed to rotate in the notch. The guide sleeve comprises two channels, and one end of each travel pin is situated within one of the two channels in the guide sleeve. An outer magnetic cartridge causes the inner magnetic cartridge and guide sleeve to rotate, and when the guide sleeve rotates, the travel pins move up and down within the channels in the guide sleeve. The movement of the travel pins within the channels in the guide sleeve causes the ball to rotate, thereby opening and closing the ball valve.

Abstract: An apparatus for allowing display modules to communicate information about themselves to other display modules in the same display panel, comprising a module-based display panel wherein each face of the panel comprises a plurality of display modules, wherein the transmitters, receivers and/or transceivers are configured so that each transmitter or transceiver on a given display module is adjacent to a receiver or transceiver on an adjacent display module, wherein the transmitters or transceivers on a given display module transmit information about that display module to the adjacent receivers or transceivers, wherein the receivers or transceivers on a given display module receive information about the adjacent display module from the adjacent transmitters or transceivers, and wherein the information is used by the display modules and/or a main controller to determine the location of the display module within a display panel.

Abstract: A floating island comprising a combination-cell thermoplastic foam. In a preferred embodiment, the invention is a floating island comprising: an island body comprising at least a first portion that comprises a combination-cell thermoplastic foam and having a cavity; and a bedding material that is disposed in said cavity; wherein said combination-cell thermoplastic foam is buoyant in water and permeable to gas and water. In another embodiment, the invention is a floating island comprising: an island body comprising a first matrix layer, a second matrix layer and a third matrix layer; and a gas-trapping insert that is disposed between two of said layers.

Abstract: A compact diagnostic neurological tool comprising a two-point discriminator; a brush; and a sharp-dull instrument; wherein the two-point discriminator, the brush, and the sharp-dull instrument are all housed within a case; wherein the two-point discriminator, the brush, and the sharp-dull instrument are all retractable; wherein the two-point discriminator comprises two tines, and wherein the distance between the tines can be increased by extending the two-point discriminator and decreased by retracting the two-point discriminator. The case is preferably rectangular in shape and roughly five inches long, one and one-quarter inches wide, and one-half inch thick.

Abstract: A target with a thermal imaging system comprising one or more sections. Each section comprises at least one heater. Each heater comprises a layer of insulating material, layer of bifurcated metallic foil, layer of plastic, wire grid comprised of horizontal elements and vertical wires, at least two strips of carbon tape, and front cover sheet. The layer of metallic foil is situated on top of the layer of insulating material, the layer of plastic is situated on top of the layer of metallic foil, and the wire grid is situated on top of the layer of plastic. The strips of carbon tape are adhered to the outer edges of the wire grid so that the carbon tape comes into contact with the horizontal elements but not with the vertical wires. The front cover sheet comprises an image of a side view, front view or rear view of a vehicle.

Abstract: A snowboard binding accessory comprising a binding interface and snowboard interface, wherein the binding interface comprises a platform, and the snowboard interface comprises first and second discs. The platform is attached to a snowboard strap binding, and the first and second discs are fixedly attached to a snowboard. The platform comprises a circular recess that fits over the first disc. The second disc provides a rotating surface for the platform. The first disc comprises a channel that extends around the perimeter of the disc. Notches extend from the top surface of the first disc to the channel, and knobs extend horizontally from the side walls of the platform into the recess. To position the platform on the snowboard interface, the knobs are lined up with the notches, and the first disc is inserted into the recess. The knobs move horizontally within the channel, thereby allowing the platform to rotate.

Abstract: An automatically flushing toilet in which an extension arm is attached to a horizontal bar to which the toilet seat is attached. When the toilet seat is raised, one end of the extension arm moves downward, causing a rod on the end of the inner tube of a telescoping member located primarily inside the tank compartment of the toilet to move so that it is positioned atop a pivoting member located inside a cut-out on the same end of the extension arm. When the toilet seat is then closed, the one end of the extension arm moves upward, pushing the pivoting member against the rod and causing the rod to force the inner tube of the telescoping member upward. The inner tube is pivotally connected to a trip lever, which causes the toilet to flush.

Abstract: A four-cycle internal combustion engine comprising a variable length connecting rod, two crank gears, and two drive gears; the first end of the connecting rod is connected to a piston; the second end of the connecting rod is connected to a yoke assembly comprising two arms, a first connecting shaft, and two second connecting shafts; the first connecting shaft connects the second end of the connecting rod to each of the yoke arms; the second end of the connecting rod and the yoke arms rotate freely about the first connecting shaft; each crank gear comprises an off-center hole; the second connecting shafts connect the yoke arms to the off-center hole of each crank gear; the yoke arms and the crank gear rotate freely about the second connecting shaft; and each crank gear is driven by a drive gear.

Abstract: A mobile vacuum sampling system comprising: an inlet; a first filter; a gas sample vacuum pump; a solenoid valve; a sample tube; a pressure gauge; a first block valve; a second filter; a micro filter; a gasifier; a gas analyzer; and a computational, recording and/or analysis display device; wherein a natural gas stream enters the gas sample vacuum pump via the inlet and is compressed to between 3 and 5 psig; wherein the sample tube collects natural gas to be analyzed; wherein the gas analyzer is portable; wherein the gas analyzer analyzes gas samples from the sample tube; and wherein the entire system is contained within a truck or other mobile unit.

Abstract: A horse halter comprising a nose band, chin strap, hitching strap, jaw strap, throat strap, two cheek straps, and poll strap, wherein a lead rope is attached to the hitching strap, and wherein when the lead rope is pulled downward, the nose band and chin strap exert a clamping action on the horse's nose and mouth.

Abstract: A method for controlling yeast-to-filamentous growth transition in fungi comprising contacting a fungal cell with an anti-fungal small molecule in an amount effective to reduce or inhibit the yeast-to-filamentous growth transition, wherein the anti-fungal small molecule is 5-(p-Bromobenzylidine)-?-isopropyl-4-oxo-2-thioxo-3-thiozolidineacetic acid or an analog thereof. A method for treating fungal infections comprising contacting one or more fungal cells with an anti-fungal small molecule in an amount effective to control the fungal infection, wherein the anti-fungal small molecule is 5-(p-Bromobenzylidine)-?-isopropyl-4-oxo-2-thioxo-3-thiozolidineactic acid or an analog thereof.

Abstract: A target with a thermal imaging system comprising a layer of corrugated plastic, a layer of bifurcated metallic foil, a layer of clear plastic, a wire grid, two strips of carbon tape, a front cover sheet, and a power lead. The layer of bifurcated metallic foil is situated on top of the layer of corrugated plastic. The layer of clear plastic is situated on top of the layer of bifurcated metallic foil. The wire grid is situated on top of the layer of clear plastic. One strip of carbon tape is adhered to the right side of the wire grid, and the other strip of carbon tape is adhered to the left side of the wire grid. The power lead is connected to the carbon tape. The front cover sheet is adhered to the target so that it covers the wire grid and carbon tape.

Abstract: A method of generating hydrogen-enriched fuel gas and carbon dioxide comprising converting hydrocarbon molecules from a gaseous hydrocarbon feed stream into hydrogen and carbon dioxide, separating the hydrogen and carbon dioxide, blending the hydrogen back into the gaseous hydrocarbon feed stream to generate a hydrogen-enriched fuel gas, and utilizing the carbon dioxide for storage or sequestration. A system for generating hydrogen-enriched fuel gas and carbon dioxide comprising an inlet handling system, a syngas and water-gas shift system, a water-gas compression system, a carbon dioxide recovery system, a dehydration system, and a carbon dioxide compression system.

Abstract: A buoyant habitat system comprising an island body or submersible growing area, at least one solid elevated growing area and at least one hollowed-out elevated growing area. Preferably, the island body or submersible growing area has a top surface and is comprised of a nonwoven matrix that is injected with buoyant foam. Preferably, the at least one solid elevated growing area is attached to said top surface and is comprised of a nonwoven matrix that is injected with buoyant foam. Preferably, the at least one hollowed-out elevated growing area is attached to said top surface and is comprised of an outer ring of said nonwoven matrix that encircles a portion of growth medium.

Abstract: A system for cross-selling products and/or services across an enterprise comprising an enterprise-level decision engine and a plurality of line-of-business decision engines; wherein characteristics derived by the enterprise-level decision engine are used by the line-of business-level decision engines to generate cross-sell offer decisions; enterprise-level business rules and line-of-business-level business rules are managed independently of one another; a publish-subscribe message framework allows data to be published at an enterprise level and subscribed to by the line-of-business decision engines according to business rules established at the line-of-business level; the line-of-business decision engines generate cross-sell offer decisions; and the enterprise-level decision engine stores data to and retrieves data from an operational and an analytics data repository. A method of using the system described above to generate cross-sell offer decisions.

Abstract: A touring motorcycle modification kit comprising: an internal frame, an external frame, and a fender; wherein the fender is situated between the internal and external frames; wherein the internal frame is situated inside of the fender; wherein the internal frame comprises two portions, and wherein the two portions are bolted together; wherein the external frame is mounted on the fender at three frame mounting points; wherein two of the three frame mounting points are located on the exterior of the fender; wherein none of the three frame mounting points is located inside of the fender; wherein the external frame does not bolt to the frame mounting points but is releasably attached to the three frame mounting points; and wherein no tools are required to install or remove the external frame. The present invention can be used with a factory seat, exhaust system, wiring harness, saddle bags and tour pack.

Abstract: A floating habitat designed to be renewably buoyant, self-sustaining and optionally specialized for waterfowl nesting. The first embodiment comprises one or more flotation units, a source of compressed air, and a means for connecting the source of compressed air to the flotation units. Each flotation unit comprises an individual supply hose, an inflatable bladder, a relief valve, a diffusing manifold, bottom mesh, top mesh, and buoyant growth medium. An alternative embodiment comprises a self-compensating buoyancy system. In the waterfowl nesting embodiment, the floating habitat includes one or more waterfowl nesting structures and construction material selected to optimize the nesting habitat. The floating habitat can be comprised of scrap pieces or layers of polyester mesh material. The floating habitats can be combined to provide safe habitat for juvenile waterfowl, encourage colony nesting, or allow a variety of waterfowl or shore bird species to enjoy suitable habitat on the same floating habitat.