Abstract: A read head for optically scanning a ballot on which votes are cast by marking the ballot with a writing instrument within a voting area defined between a pair of spaced-apart timing marks includes infrared emitters illuminating the timing marks and emitters of visible light illuminating the voting area between the marks. The illuminated portions of the ballot are imaged onto three PIN photodiodes place in a line. The outer two PIN photodiodes are effectively apertured to resolve the timing marks and the middle PIN photodiode is effectively apertured to resolve a voting mark of a predetermined minimum size. The ballot, the image and the apertures are carefully aligned such that the photodiodes detect changes in light level associated with an image of a mark passing across the apertures.

Abstract: A magnetically actuated fluid motor has a shiftable member having valve members for alternately closing one and opening the other of large and smaller faces of a stepped piston reciprocating in a housing. The shiftable member carries a magnet and is shiftable to collocate the magnet with one of spaced apart magnet attractors. A magnetic holding force between the magnet and attractors exceeds a simultaneous resilient counterforce supplied by spring members operating on the shiftable member. When the magnetic holding force is weakened by application of a separating force to separate the magnet from an attractor, stored energy in the compressed springs is released to shift the shiftable member. Separating force is applied through stops which arrest the shiftable member while the piston continues to move, without immediately opening the closed face of the stepped piston.

Abstract: A setting tool for setting in a bore hole a downhole device such as plugs and packers is actuated by supplying a voltage signal to direct current motor that drives a hydraulic pump. The hydraulic pump delivers high pressure fluid to a setting chamber to displace a piston received therein. Relative movement of the piston to the chamber imparts a setting force to the downhole device with a shearing action between an outer setting sleeve and an internal mandrel. A hydraulic fluid reservoir is located on the backside of the setting piston, such that displacement of the setting piston during setting forces fluid toward the pump. An accumulator located between the reservoir and the pump accommodates thermal expansion of the fluid. A relief valve at the outlet of the pump provides back pressure to ensure that a minimum positive pressure is maintained at the intake of the pump. A second setting stage provides additional setting force.

Abstract: An Electronic Check Presentment System provides a bank with a fully automated capability for participating in the electronic exchange of check data. It allows banks that utilize the system to take MICR data that has been obtained through check capture methods, selectively extract particular check records and place them in the form of electronic cash letters, transfer the electronic cash letters to selected banks, receive electronic cash letters from other banks, reconcile the electronic cash letters against the paper cash letters when they arrive, and input the electronic MICR data into a database responsible for maintaining check records.

Abstract: A one-piece locking pin (100) for use captively retaining a tooth (14) on an adapter portion (12) of an excavating tooth and adapter assembly has a primary wedge member (110) with an integral spring (120) extending upward from the member's distal end (116). A first positive stop member (130) extends from the wedge member (110) while an opposing second positive stop member (122) extends from the integral spring (12). After insertion, the locking pin (100) prevents separation of tooth (14) from adapter portion (12) while the first and second positive stop member (130, 122) prevent accidental loss of the locking pin (100) from the assembly. To remove the locking pin, a force sufficient to separate the first positive stop member (130) from the pin (100) is exerted to drive the pin (100) from the assembly.

Abstract: A fast setting cementitious composition which upon hydration with water forms a paste-like slurry useful in stopping leaks in the walls of cement pipes. The cementitious composition comprises a dry mixture of a hydraulic cement component having a first Portland cement constituent and a second calcium aluminate constituent, an aggregate component and a lime component. Upon hydration with 23 wt. % water, the resulting slurry has an initial Vicat setting time within the range of 1-5 minutes and a final Vicat setting time of no more than 6 minutes. The cement component contains the first and second cement constituents in weight ratios within the range of 3:2-2:3. The lime component is present in an amount within the range of 1-4 wt. %.In effecting the repair of a water leak, a paste-like slurry is formed from water and the dry cementitious composition. The cementitious paste is supplied to the repair site.

Abstract: A method of lifting storage tanks by using pressurized bags and support members. Lifting the tank allows for visual inspection under the tank for corrosion to prevent leakage of environmentally hazardous chemicals stored in the tank. The lifting bags are placed under the tank, inflated, and support timbers placed under the raised tank. The bags are then deflated allowing the tank to rest on the support timbers. The deflated bags are raised by placing support timbers under the bags. The bags are again pressurized further raising the tank. The steps are repeated until the tank is lifted to the desired height. Ground suction is broken by raising one side of the tank with the lifting bags, placing supports as far as possible under the tank rim and depressurizing the bags to rock the other side of the tank off the ground. A fulcrum method is also applied to use the partial weight of the tank as a leverage force to alternately raise opposite sides of the tank.

Abstract: A two-piece duck caller device simulates the call of the mallard drake using a sounding body and a resonance chamber encompassing the sounding body. The sounding body includes an elongated blowing stem, a whistle portion with an air vent and a flared exhaust portion. The resonance chamber is a hollow tube of sufficient diameter to encompass the sounding body with the end of the blowing stem protruding from one end of the resonance chamber and the flared exhaust end protruding from the other end of the resonance chamber. The resonance chamber has an air vent aligned with the air vent of the sounding body in the assembled duck caller.

Abstract: Process for the formulation of a multi-component explosive composition from non-detonable components comprising a defined body of unconsolidated particulate aluminum fuel granules and an oxidizing liquid. Specific particulate aluminum fuel has an average particle size within the range of about 1/64-1/4 inch and is packed within a container or other confining structure to provide an average bulk density within the range of 0.2-1.0 gm/cc. The aluminum fuel particles are generally wadded-up aluminum foil granules. The oxidizing liquid added to the body of aluminum fuel fills the void space between granules of aluminum entrapping some voids within the granules to provide an average bulk density of the mixture of oxidizing liquid and particulate aluminum within the of 1.2-1.7 gm/cc, creating an explosive, formulation which is detonable in a diameter of 4 inches at 20.degree. C. by a one pound pentolite booster and normally by a 1/2 pound pentolite booster.

Abstract: A cover sheet for medical tables, beds or gurneys comprises a sheet formed from a high tensile strength, plastic with opposed ends of the sheet folded and seamed to provide pockets. The pockets are inverted for assemblage over the ends of the medical tables, beds or gurneys. Methods of continuously fabricating such cover sheets from a roll of plastic material are also disclosed.

Abstract: A high speed modular counter (100) utilizing a novel counting method in which the first bit changes with the frequency of the driving clock, and changes in the higher order bits are initiated one clock pulse after a "0" to "1" transition of the next lower order bit. This allows all carries to be known one clock period in advance of a bit change. The present counter is modular and utilizes two types of standard counter cells. A first counter cell determines the zero bit. The second counter cell determines any other higher order bit. Additional second counter cells are added to the counter to accommodate any count length without affecting speed.

Abstract: A gas fired convection cooking oven is provided with an improved air delivery and heat exchange structure for creating within the oven's cooking chamber a recirculating flow of heated air to cook food items supported therein. The structure includes a combustion box adapted to receive hot products of combustion from a gas burner, and extending into the cooking chamber through a lower portion of a vertical boundary wall thereof. Removably secured to the combustion box, and extending upwardly along the inner side of the boundary wall is a hollow baffle structure having a front mixing chamber communicating with the interior of the combustion box through spaced apart hollow legs with a discharge opening formed therebetween. Perforated skirt walls extending rearwardly from the mixing chamber define with the boundary wall a fan chamber which surrounds a motor-driven centrifugal fan impeller supported on the inner side of the boundary wall.

Abstract: A new and improved gas detection, concentration and warning apparatus is disclosed which includes a tin dioxide semiconductor gas sensor operated with a load resistor of a preselected value and power source for producing reliable and consistent gas concentration voltage output for either a voltmeter having a dial calibrated to read the voltage and indicate corresponding gas concentrations for a portable work site apparatus or to trigger and threshold inputs to a 555 timer where first and second state outputs are connected to either a sound alarm for a home apparatus or to light or sound or both alarms located in a vehicle dashboard for a natural gas fueled vehicle. For vehicle use, multiple gas sensor circuits are used with their probes located under the vehicle hood and in the supply tank compartment (trunk).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for directional drilling to recover hydrocarbons, thermal energy, or the like, by using coiled tubing while the well is under pressure so that high density drilling fluids to control the subsurface pressures during drilling are not required. Snubbing apparatus and methods which maintain control of the bore hole pressure throughout the drilling operation are used, thus permitting the use of fresh water as a combination hydraulic fluid to operate a downhole motor and cool the bit, and to flush cuttings from the bore hole. The apparatus uses a down hole assembly including a bit driven by a motor, preferably hydraulic, which is located in a bent housing. A steering tool capable of indicating the angle and azimuth of inclination of the housing is carried by the motor housing and is connected to surface instrumentation by an electrical cable extending through the coiled tubing.

Abstract: A portable, hand-held blower unit is powered by a small internal combustion engine having movable choke and throttle control elements linked to a single adjustment knob. Rotation of the knob between full throttle and full choke positions thereof simultaneously adjusts the engine's throttle and choke settings and maintains predetermined engine start and run positional relationships therebetween. The engine carburetor has mounted thereon a specially designed air intake box which substantially reduces engine air intake noise. In the normal operating position of the unit the engine drive shaft is generally vertically oriented, with the carburetor being secured to the top of the engine and the underside of the air intake box. The lower end of the drive shaft is coaxially secured to the unit's blower fan impeller which is spaced upwardly apart from a pull rope starter pulley rotatably carried by the fan impeller housing.

Abstract: A device for removing liquid and small particulate matter from various surfaces is provided. The device includes a single compartmentalized enclosure supporting a rechargeable battery, a vacuum source and an airflow booster system for drying the surface. As liquid and particulate matter are vacuumed via a hose or other vacuum director, they are trapped in a removable reservoir container which may be detached from the device for emptying and cleaning. The exhaust air produced from the resident vacuum system may be accelerated by a booster system which redirects accelerated airflow through a set of louvers toward the damp spot left by the removed liquid. The booster system may be used individually, without the aide of exhaust airflow from the vacuum, to also effect such drying of the surface. The device also has attached a signal system to alert passersby of the hazard created by the damp surface supporting the device in the preferred embodiment.

Abstract: A portable system for on-site batch mixing of cementitious materials, such as mortar and grout, includes a batch mixing machine for metering and mixing cement, sand and water, a cement storage silo sized to hold at least one commercial delivery truckload of cement, and a pair of sand supporting ground pads. The large cement storage silo significantly reduces the manpower and equipment costs associated with the overall batch mixing process, and the sand support pads operate to prevent dirt contamination of the cementitious mixture. The water storage portion is provided with a simplified, floatless fill level control system and an improved water heating system which significantly reduces water temperature stratification. A specially designed pressurized shaft bearing/seal structure provided on the batch mixer portion of the mixing machine reduces grease and seal maintenance and functions to essentially preclude entry of cementitious material into the shaft bearing.

Abstract: This egg breaking machine provides a means for separating egg shell from the liquid part of the egg. The eggs (1), along with the egg holder, commonly called a filler flat, containing thirty or less eggs, are placed into the egg breaker pan (3). At one end of the pan is attached a hinge (5) that is also attached to the upper section or egg support guide (6). The egg support guide has holes (7) that allow the egg tops (8) to fit through. With the eggs and egg holder placed inside the egg breaker pan, the guide is placed down on top of the eggs exposing the top section of the eggs. Placed on top of the support guide, there is an egg cutter (12) made from a flat metal plate attached to a horizontal support beam that rotates from a connecting rod placed at the end of the pan opposite the support guide hinges.