Abstract: An apparatus and method for milling rumble strips into a pavement surface with a cutting wheel. The cutting wheel has rows of a cutting and non-cutting surface and is rotated to alternately present and withdraw a cutting surface and a non-cutting surface to the asphalt and cut a periodic rumble strip pattern as the apparatus moves forward. This alternating pattern is achieved without any up and down motion of the cutting wheel, and the apparatus can be operated a relatively rapid speed.

Abstract: A t′-phase zirconia shapes with superior properties are made by forming a zirconia powder containing a rare-earth-oxide dopant into sintered bodies. The sintered bodies are heat treated in an oxygen atmosphere at a temperature high enough to form a cubic phase. The heated body is then cooled rapidly to form a t′-phase. The t′-phase is characterized with a large grain size, is resistant to transformation, low temperature degradation, and has excellent toughness, and creep resistance. Rare earth-oxide dopants include yttria, scandia, erbia, and ceria. For yttria doped materials, the sintered body is doped with between 2.5 and 5 mole percent yttria.

Abstract: A solid tooth whitening composition in the form a table, gum, candy, or the like, is formed by combining carbamide peroxide with a non-hygroscopic sweetener base that comprises the hydrogenation product of isomaltulose. The composition may be stored for several weeks without detectable decomposition the carbamide peroxide to urea.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a composite shaft comprising providing an impregnated fibrous material comprising a fiber impregnated with a hardenable polymeric material, forming an impregnated fiber preform by wrapping the impregnated fiber material around a shaped pressurizable bladder, the bladder having outer dimensions to form a preform dimensioned closely to the final dimensions of the shaft and dimensioned to allow placement of the assembly of the bladder and the impregnated fiber preform into female tooling, placing the assembly of the bladder and the impregnated fiber preform into the female tooling, pressurizing the bladder to press the impregnated fiber against the tooling, and heating the tooling to form a hardened composite of the polymeric material and the fiber while maintaining pressure in the bladder, releasing the pressure in the bladder, and removing the bladder from the interior of the shaft.

Abstract: A ceramic composite containing alkali-metal-.beta.- or .beta."-alumina and an oxygen-ion conductor is fabricated by converting .alpha.-alumina to alkali-metal-.beta.- or .beta."-alumina. A ceramic composite with continuous phases of .alpha.-alumina and the oxygen-ion conducting ceramic, such as zirconia, is exposed to a vapor containing an alkali-metal oxide, such as an oxide of sodium or potassium. Alkali metal ions diffuse through alkali-metal-.beta.- or .beta."-alumina converted from .alpha.-alumina and oxygen ions diffuse through the oxygen-ion conducting ceramic to a reaction front where .alpha.-alumina is converted to alkali-metal-.beta.- or .beta."-alumina. A stabilizer for alkali-metal-.beta."-alumina is preferably introduced into the .alpha.-alumina/oxygen-ion conductor composite or introduced into the vapor used to convert the .alpha.-alumina to an alkali-metal-.beta."-alumina.

Abstract: A process for removing lead and copper from drinking water discharged from a drinking water outlet while suppressing the concentration of phosphate ions comprising directing the water through a matrix comprising phosphate mineral with a very low phosphate solubility, and a solid carbonate mineral which is slightly soluble in water. The matrix is sized such that there is sufficient contacting between the water and the matrix to form a lead phosphate precipitate, reduce the lead concentration in the water to below 15 parts per billion, and suppress the phosphate ion concentration to 5 mg/L, preferably 3 mg/L, or below.

Abstract: A water distribution system for a spa is disclosed that comprises at least one channel around at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the shell, a water feed pipe in communication with a source of pressurized water disposed within the channel with a penetration of the shell by the water feed pipe at an end of the channel, a pod depression in the containment of the shell constructed and configured such that the channel is interrupted by the depression and the water feed pipe continues through the pod, a jet water outlet feed on the water feed pipe at the pod that is constructed and configured to provide at least one water feed outlet for a jet, and at least one water jet with water communication with the water feed outlet.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the condition of the battery of a smoke or heat alarm so as to provide a warning of an impending low battery condition, said method including: means of providing a low battery alarm to warn of a low battery condition, the said condition being that of a battery which has depleted to an energy level at and below which it is recommended that the battery be replaced to maintain the full functionality of the alarm device; means of providing an additional low battery pre-alarm to warn of an impending low battery condition, the said low battery pre-alarm being provided when the smoke or heat alarm battery has depleted to an energy level which is slightly higher than, but close to, the energy level that would generate the low battery alarm, and means of bypassing or silencing the low battery pre-alarm, in the event of an impending low battery condition, should a new battery not be available to immediately replace the depleted smoke or heat alarm battery, with the result that the occupants of th

Abstract: A metal-matrix composite of magnetostrictive powder is manufactured by dynamic compaction, such as that provided by the shock waves of an explosive, from a magnetostrictive powder in the presence of a matrix-forming metal. Under the conditions of dynamic compaction, property compromising phases between the powder and the binding metal are not formed, resulting in a composite essentially free of these phases. The composites may be formed by coating a magnetostrictive powder with a matrix-forming metal by a sputtering process and dynamically compacting the coated powder. A coated powder may also be made by sputtering a layered composite of metal-magnetostrictive material-metal, and grinding the layered composite. Metal-matrix composites may also be made by mixing the matrix-forming metal with a magnetostrictive powder and dynamically compressing the mixture. Metal-matrix composites of amorphous magnetostrictive powders may be annealed in the presence of a magnetic field.

Abstract: A solution process for the purification of calcium hydroxide, particularly from hydrated carbide lime, which is subsequently used as a feed stock for a high-value calcium product, preferably calcium carbonate. Precipitated calcium carbonate is formed by reaction of the purified calcium hydroxide solution with carbon dioxide in a plug-flow reaction system.

Abstract: An upgradable spa or bathing system where jets are mounted on jet panel that covers a pod. The jet panel and pod enclose the air and water supply systems to the jets, which are configured with a manifold system to easily release the jets and the jet panel for repair or replacement of the jets. A separate upper panel covers the upper portion of the pod and includes an attachment to the spa shell and a headrest. The jet panel is held in place by engagement with structure on the shell and the upper panel and may be replaced without also replacing the head rest or the shell attachment of the top cover.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacture of acetylene and hydrated lime from the reaction of calcium carbide and an excess of water is disclosed. A primary reactor for the initial reaction of the calcium carbide and water is disposed concentrically within a secondary reactor. Hydrated lime and unreacted calcium carbide flow directly from the primary reactor to the secondary reactor, where the carbide lime settles from the water and is removed.

Abstract: An ultra-filtration vacuum system with a first liquid stage filter and that has structure to direct particle laden air into a vortex in a circular cyclone chamber over a surface of a first liquid filter medium to direct particulates in the air to a wall of the cyclone chamber for collection by the first liquid filter medium. An open-pore labyrinth filter is provided for further filtering air from the first liquid stage. A second liquid stage is provided to filter for filtering air from the labyrinth filter and has a dispersion chamber with an inlet that directs the particle laden air from the labyrinth filter directly into a second liquid filter medium to transfer momentum of the air directly to the second liquid filter medium, the dispersion chamber constructed with surfaces against which medium is propelled by the energy of the injected air to disperse the medium in the air, the dispersion chamber shaped such that a cascading and undulating liquid surface is formed.

Abstract: A solution process for the purification of calcium hydroxide, particularly from hydrated carbide lime, which is subsequently used as a feed stock for a high-value calcium product, preferably calcium carbonate. Precipitated calcium carbonate is formed by reaction of the purified calcium hydroxide solution with carbon dioxide in a plug-flow reaction system.

Abstract: An eight-way joystick control system is disclosed. The joystick comprises a control shaft having a handle end adapted for grasping and deflection of the control shaft by a user, and pivot defining a fixed point about which the control shaft is deflected at the handle end by the user. The control shaft has a central neutral position and eight control sector positions spaced radially around the neutral position. An indicator is included that produces a distinctive electrical signal when the control shaft is in each of the control sector positions. A control structure defines a deflection limit of the control shaft in an octagon shaped deflection pattern with eight corners. Each corner corresponds to one of the eight control sector positions such that when the control shaft is deflected into any one of the eight corners the control shaft is positioned in the corresponding control sector position.

Abstract: A apparatus and method for detecting an out-of-alignment condition of a wheeled vehicle with at least one steered wheel controlled by a steering wheel by comparing the relative number of periodic samples during a sampling period in which the vehicle steering wheel is positioned right of the center position as compared to left of the center position.

Abstract: A tooth-paste composition for whitening teeth and method for manufacture, the composition comprising a water-free, non-hygroscopic base and carbamide peroxide.

Abstract: A water distribution system for a spa is disclosed that comprises at least one channel around at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the shell, a water feed pipe in communication with a source of pressurized water disposed within the channel with a penetration of the shell by the water feed pipe at an end of the channel, a pod depression in the containment of the shell constructed and configured such that the channel is interrupted by the depression and the water feed pipe continues through the pod, a jet water outlet feed on the water feed pipe at the pod that is constructed and configured to provide at least one water feed outlet for a jet, and at least one water jet with water communication with the water feed outlet.

Abstract: A method for calculating the average aggregate mass of individual molecules in a sample, where the molecules in solution associate to form clusters. Data sets of average aggregate mass of the sample versus concentration of the sample in the solvent are generated. The basic principles and technology in generation of the data is the well understood action of a solute upon the solvent vapor pressure above the solution. By observing the effect of a sample solute on the temperature/vapor pressure properties of a solvent, if is possible by known methods to determine its average aggregate mass. When dealing with a solute material that tends to form clusters, however, the average aggregate mass found is an apparent average aggregate mass, i.e. the average aggregate mass of all of the particles, which are the clusters and any unassociated molecules, if any. To determine the true average aggregate mass, a method employing the determined apparent average aggregate masses, referred to herein as the BRD method, is used.

Abstract: A cable ski binding comprised of a toe iron having a boot sole support and boot toe lateral movement side restraint surfaces, a toe bail for clamping the top surface of the toe end of the sole extending out from the toe end of the boot to the sole support plate, a cable for securing the boot between the said lateral side restraints and under the said toe bail, a dual purpose heel assembly having a heel lever for securing the cable to the heel of the boot and a rocker means with two opposing elongate members, one of which acts against a spring and the other having a near horizontal surface aspect and attached to the rear most end of the cable loop. Sufficient stress on the cable causes the rocker to rotate and thus allows for the effective lengthening of the cable relative to the length of the boot while being continuously opposed by an increasing torque applied to the rocker by the spring through the moment arm of the former elongate member.