Abstract: A soybean cultivar designated 1972621658 is disclosed. The invention relates to the seeds of soybean cultivar 1972621658, to the plants of soybean 1972621658, to plant parts of soybean cultivar 1972621658 and to methods for producing a soybean plant produced by crossing soybean cultivar 1972621658 with itself or with another soybean variety. The invention also relates to methods for producing a soybean plant containing in its genetic material one or more transgenes and to the transgenic soybean plants and plant parts produced by those methods. This invention also relates to soybean cultivars or breeding cultivars and plant parts derived from soybean variety 1972621658, to methods for producing other soybean cultivars, lines or plant parts derived from soybean cultivar 1972621658 and to the soybean plants, varieties, and their parts derived from use of those methods.

Abstract: A system and method for the conversion of free fatty acids to glycerides and the subsequent conversion of glycerides to glycerin and biodiesel includes the transesterification of a glyceride stream with an alcohol. The fatty acid alkyl esters are separated from the glycerin to produce a first liquid phase containing a fatty acid alkyl ester rich (concentrated) stream and a second liquid phase containing a glycerin rich (concentrated) stream. The fatty acid alkyl ester rich stream is then subjected to distillation, preferably reactive distillation, wherein the stream undergoes both physical separation and chemical reaction. The fatty acid alkyl ester rich stream is then purified to produce a purified biodiesel product and a glyceride rich residue stream. Biodiesel may be further recovered from the glyceride rich residue stream, by further separation of and/or processing of glycerides/free fatty acids contained therein.

Abstract: A system and method for converting a high free fatty acid grease feedstock to biodiesel. The process comprises a glycerolysis reaction to convert free fatty acids to glycerides and a base catalyzed transesterification reaction to produce fatty acid methyl esters and glycerin in the absence of solvents. In preferred embodiments, both glycerin and methanol are recycled. The process can process a feedstock containing up to 100 percent free fatty acid content to produce biodiesel and glycerin with minimal waste generation.

Abstract: A latching and locking mechanism for fence gates or doors. The gate latch of this invention is comprised of a steel locking pin that slides through the latch device. When the locking pin slides out of the latch device, the gate can easily be opened or closed. When the locking pin is inserted through the latch device and around the gate, the gate is held in a closed position. The locking pin can be locked in the closed position with a lock.

Abstract: A compressed foam target, primarily for archery use, made of layered foam material. Cross-linked polyethylene foam sheets are used, each having a thickness of one-eighth (??) inch with a density of four (4.0) pounds per square inch. The foam sheets are assembled either horizontally or vertically to create the arrow receiving area and are compressed to a size 60% of their original size. After compression, the foam sheets are slidably placed into a reinforced flexible sleeve made of polypropylene which circumferentially restrains the foam sheets, but allows expansion of the foam sheets from the 40% compressed state to the 28% compressed state. The circumferentially restrained foam sheets create the arrow receiving area of the target which can then be placed within a frame to make the full scale target or can be molded within a polyurethane insert for use as a replaceable insert in a flat faced target or a three-dimensional target.

Abstract: The subject matter of this invention is an underground directional drilling tool which is particularly effective in drilling rock and highly compacted soil formations. This tool is an improvement upon the tool developed by Applicants and patented in U.S. Pat. No. 6,050,350. The current invention utilizes ball bearings contained within subassemblies positioned at each end of the steering tool. This allows the steering tool to float upon the subassemblies as the inner core and drive shaft rotate within the subassemblies and steering tool, thereby reducing rotational torque transfer from the drill string, subassemblies and drive shaft to the housing of the directional drilling tool. The use of the ball bearing containing subassemblies improves underground stability and, thus, steerability during the forward drilling operation. Further, these improved features reduce wear thereby increasing durability of the tool which is used in the harsh underground environment.

Abstract: A process for treating wood and wood products is disclosed. Wood is impregnated under pressure with soybean oil or a mixture of vegetable oils with soybean oil, which oil is caused to polymerize within the wood. The polymerized oil is effectively fixed within the wood. The oil may be treated in advance of impregnation to initiate polymerization. Further, the wood may be surface treated with a more fully polymerized coating of oil. Pressure and vacuum may be applied in selected sequence to promote impregnation, and heat, blowing air, oxygen, Ultraviolet light, and other agents may be employed to promote polymerization of the treated wood within the pressure chamber during the impregnation process or outside of the pressure chamber after impregnation. Additional additives may be used to prevent pest infestations and the growth of fungi or to promote the migration of the oil into the wood.

Abstract: The present invention is a test milling method to determine the suitability of a grain for use in the derivation of desired end products. A full scale mill is simulated through a bench scale application wherein only a small portion of grain is required to conduct the test in contrast to testing protocols which employ full scale equipment. By utilizing the small scale simulations, hybrid varieties may be tested for total grit extraction and total yield well in advance of the many seasons that it takes to develop market quantities of a hybrid. The invention also relates to a method for determining which items of data collected are needed to accurately predict the total yield and grit extraction % and subsequently applying these limited data points in a shortened simulation to reduce the number of steps required in the test protocol. Data obtained from such tests may be used to direct hybrid research and select the best hybrids and shipments for the desired milling process.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved rotary granular material cutting apparatus and knife blade assembly. The apparatus comprises a perforated drum that may receive granular material into its interior. The grains of material extend through perforations in the spinning drum where they encounter a series of knife blades. The blades are arranged to form angles of contact with tangents to the spinning drum. Those angles of contact are steeper on the side regions of the spinning drum tan on the bottom regions. The apparatus also includes a grooved interior baffle to disburse input material within the drum, and knife-mounting wedges that include toe or base stops to help secure knife it blades in arrangement about the drum.

Abstract: A port structure is disclosed that may be placed at differing height intervals in the side of the on-farm or smaller grain storage bin. The port is sealed with the sealing apparatus to prevent the introduction of unwanted moisture or insects into the storage cavity of the grain bin. A standard sharp pointed probe available in the industry is utilized with the invention. Once the sealed cap is removed, the probe is inserted through the port horizontally into the stored grain to obtain grain samples at whatever intervals are provided by the standard probe mechanism. Also disclosed is a method for sampling from a horizontal cross section of a particulate matter storage bin.

Abstract: This invention is of an automated flash removal apparatus which features counter-rotating trimming wheels which are positioned against the molded flexible urethane part or the molded flexible polyvinyl chloride part. The force of the trimming wheels against the part undergoing the flash removal process is adjustable and is controlled by opposing tension springs. The trimming wheels may by set at any angle to the part so as to enhance the flash removal characteristics. The trimming wheels are guided along the sides of the part by interchangeable guide bars which may be profiled to accommodate parts which present surfaces that are not substantially straight. The trimming wheels utilize a textured pattern which operate to abrade the flash from the part, thereafter polishing the part on the return pass.

Abstract: An underground directional drilling steering tool for use with a variety of commercially known drill bits which controls the direction of drill while the drill bit is directly powered by the drill string by way of a drill string coupling. The offset transmitter housing retains the tool in a stable orientation downhole by means of the drill string coupling offset orientation in the housing and stabilizing fins affixed to the exterior of the offset transmitter housing. The positioning of the drill bit in relation to the positioning of the offset transmitter housing in the center of the borehole creates a drilling pathway with a constant curvature away from the wide side of the offset transmitter housing. The direction of this curvature is controlled by means of a jaw clutch, which jaw clutch is engaged by drawing back slightly on the drill string thereby retracting the drive shaft and pulling the drill bit coupling within closer proximity to the offset transmitter housing.

Abstract: A soybean oil based hydraulic fluid of which the soybean oil is less than 85% by weight and the fatty acid profile of the hydraulic fluid includes about 0.12% C24:0. The base oil is hydrogenated to produce maximum possible stability of the soybean oil, and is winterized to remove crystallized fats and improve the pour point of the base oil without the necessity of heating the oil. The base oil is then combined with a hydrocarbon based additive package containing materials specifically designed for mobile equipment application including friction and anti-chatter materials, needed for wet clutches and brakes.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for sealing and locking together interconnectable pipe for industrial, commercial and other uses. The sealed locking joint is comprised of the smaller end of one pipe, spigot end, which is inserted into the larger end of the receiving pipe, bell end. A sealing gasket and a corresponding locking gasket are utilized to retain the pipe in its assembled position and prevent leakage of material at the joint. Alternatively, a sleeve may be utilized into which is inserted the spigot ends of the pipe, said sleeve having positioned within it sealing gaskets and locking gaskets similar to the configuration utilized in the bell end of the alternate assembly.