Abstract: The present invention provides an ozone generation and delivery system that lends itself to small scale applications and requires very low maintenance. The system includes an anode reservoir and a cathode phase separator each having a hydrophobic membrane to allow phase separation of produced gases from water. The system may be configured to operate passively with no moving parts or in a self-pressurizing manner with the inclusion of a pressure controlling device or valve in the gas outlet of the anode reservoir. The hydrogen gas, ozone gas and water containing ozone may be delivered under pressure.

Abstract: A method of obtaining, recording and using the denomination and the serial number of bills received into cash registers from purchasers, and using computer automation to dispense other bills from the cash registers to make change. Enhanced accounting, security and efficiency for cash transactions is provided by electronically associating bills with information describing the purchases and, optionally, transmitting electronically this information to the purchaser. Optical character recognition is used to identify the denomination and serial number of each bill. Optionally, a cashier may enter a duress code into the register to initiate a silent alarm signal, identify the serial numbers of each bill dispensed under duress, or mark an invisible ink onto each bill dispensed under duress. The method also enables determining whether each bill received is counterfeit or stolen.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ozone generation and delivery system that lends itself to small scale applications and requires very low maintenance. The system includes an anode reservoir and a cathode phase separator each having a hydrophobic membrane to allow phase separation of produced gases from water. The system may be configured to operate passively with no moving parts or in a self-pressurizing manner with the inclusion of a pressure controlling device or valve in the gas outlet of the anode reservoir. The hydrogen gas, ozone gas and water containing ozone may be delivered under pressure.

Abstract: A method and system control the depth of corneal ablation during optical surgery by mapping the anterior and posterior surfaces of a patient's cornea to obtain full pachymetric topographical mapping of the patient's cornea. The patient's corneal pachymetric topographical mapping is used to identify a desirable corneal bed, and to guide a surgical laser in ablating a portion of the anterior surface of the patient's cornea to produce the desired corneal bed for appropriate vision correction.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for preparing subassemblies for an electrochemical cell or a stack of electrochemical cells, particularly a stack of fuel cells for the direct generation of electricity. The method includes bonding together two or more electrochemical cell components, such as plates, frames, flow fields, shims, gaskets, membranes and the like, to form subassemblies used to make an electrochemical cell stack. The bonding can be accomplished using either polymeric bonds (i.e., adhesives) where polymer and/or metal components are involved or metallurgical bonds (i.e., solder) where metal components are involved. The bonding provides tightly sealed cells and lower electronic contact resistances between components.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for controlling microbial populations in the gastrointestinal tract of animals. The method comprises the step of orally administering an effective amount of a peracid to an animal. Percarboxylic acids useful in this invention include peracetic acid, perpropionic acid, perbutyric acid, peroctanoic acid, perglycolic acid, perglutaric acid, persuccinic acid, perlactic acid, percitric acid, perdecanoic acid or mixtures thereof. These percarboxylic acids have been found to provide good antimicrobial action with good stability in aqueous streams. In addition to peracetic, peroctanoic and perdecanoic, particularly preferred percarboxylic acids include perpropionic, perbutyric, perglycolic, perlactic and percitric acids.

Abstract: The present invention provides a conversion coating solution containing polymetalates and/or heteropolymetalates to oxidize the surface of various metal substrates. The polymetalates have the general formula MxOyn−, where M is selected from the group comprising Mo, V and W. The heteropolymetalates have the general formula BMxOyn−, where B is a heteroatom selected from P, Si, Ce, Mn or Co, and M is again selected from Mo, V, W or combinations thereof. The concentration of polymetalates and/or heteropolymetalates anions is preferably between about 1% and about 5% by weight. Examples of typical anions used include, but are not limited to, (PMo12O40)3−, (PMo10V2O40)5−, (MnPW11O39)5−, (PW12O40)3−, (SiMo12O40)4−, (SiW12O40)4−, (Mo7O24)6−, (CeMo7O24)8−and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of fabricating composite membranes wherein at least one of the components is initially provided in the form of a precursor. The composite material comprising the precursor is processed to transform the precursor and obtain a membrane having a desired property. Including a thermoplastic precursor to a desired component, which itself is less thermoplastic, permits separate pieces of the membrane to be joined by welding or other thermal processes relying on the meltability of the components to achieve a bond. The invention also encompasses fabricating a reinforced ion conducting membrane by melting and mixing a non ion-conducting precursor to an ion-conducting polymer with an essentially inert polymer. The composite material is then processed to transform the non ion-conducting polymer into the ion-conducting form.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of fabricating composite membranes wherein at least one of the components is initially provided in the form of a precursor. The composite material comprising the precursor is processed to transform the precursor and obtain a membrane having a desired property. Including a thermoplastic precursor to a desired component, which itself is less thermoplastic, permits separate pieces of the membrane to be joined by welding or other thermal processes relying on the meltability of the components to achieve a bond. The invention also encompasses fabricating a reinforced ion conducting membrane by melting and mixing a non ion-conducting precursor to an ion-conducting polymer with an essentially inert polymer. The composite material is then processed to transform the non ion-conducting polymer into the ion-conducting form.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a blowout preventer stack. The apparatus comprises a control pod having a plurality of direct operated solenoid valves in electronic communication with a surface controller through one or more dedicated electronic control wires. The solenoids translate electronic control signals from the controller into hydraulic control signals that are in communication with a hydraulically operated pilot valve to cause delivery of hydraulic fluid from a power fluid source to a critical function of the blowout preventer stack (i.e., closing of a blowout preventer). The system also provides a plurality of hydraulically operated pilot valves that deliver hydraulic fluid from a power fluid source to a non-critical function of the blowout preventer stack upon receiving a hydraulic control signal directly from the controller through the umbilical.

Abstract: A capstan winch includes a reel assembly comprising a reel, which rotates, and two generally annular floating flanges which are supported so that the planes in which they rotate converge toward one another, which has the effect of creating an apparent axial movement of the flanges with respect to the reel as they rotate together. The cylindrical surface of the reel is provided with alternating lands and grooves and floating flanges have formed on them alternating inclined faces which correspond with the lands and the grooves. The inclined faces are angled so that the faces which correspond to each land on the reel are generally parallel to one another. The inclined faces which correspond to each groove converge. Consequently, substantial lateral forces are exerted on a cable being wound onto the reel only when the cable overlies the grooves and frictional forces on the cable are minimized.

Abstract: A method employing oxide film conversion coatings prepared using ferrate (VI) as the oxidizing agent is disclosed. Metal substrates or surfaces, such as aluminum, aluminum alloys or other metals, are contacted with an aqueous solution comprising ferrate (VI) anions to form a corrosion resistant conversion coating on the surface thereof. The ferrate anion concentration is preferably between about 0.0166% and about 1.66% by weight. The coating process is carried out by dipping, spraying, or painting at temperatures ranging from 25° C. to 100° C. for a period of time ranging from about 1 second to about 5 minutes.

Abstract: An adjustable pipe connector for joining ends of lined pipe where corrosive or erosive gases, fluids or slurries may flow to provide a continuous corrosion barrier between the ends of adjacent pipe liners. The connector provides a telescoping arrangement of sleeves that may be adjusted in length to meet the needs of the pipes being welded. The connector also provides heat shielded weld points for welding to the pipe ends to ensure that the integrity of the pipe coatings is maintained.

Abstract: The invention relates to the formation of antimicrobial solutions formed by ozonating a liquid containing organic precursor molecules. The preferred organic precursor molecules include carboxylic acids, most particularly octanoic acid with or without acetic acid, and alcohols, most particularly greater than 80 weight percent ethanol. The ozonating step is preferably performed with minimal or no water present in the liquid containing the organic precursors. After ozonation is complete, the ozonated liquid may be diluted with water or other solvent to form a use solution for contacting and cleaning a microbially contaminated surface or other medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for identifying and minimizing the use of cloned communicating devices which communicate with a host device. The method requires that the communicating devices send a transaction specific code and an identification code, along with each communication wherein the transaction specific code changes between each communication. One communicating device, either the authentic device or a fraudulent device might communicate with the host successfully any number of times. However, when a second devices attempts communication whether that device is the authorized device or fraudulent device, the host device will receive a transaction specific code which is inconsistent or out of sequence with that expected by the host.

Abstract: The present invention provides a self-replenishing liquid water source onboard an automobile for supplying liquid water to an electrolyzer, such as an on-board hydrogen generator useful for the suppression of unwanted emissions. While automobiles typically have water reservoirs resupplied by a person, the invention provides a passive means of water collection for reliable replenishment due to operations of the automobile itself. The invention provides condensate from the engine exhaust gas by cooling a region of the exhaust system using cooling fluid from the engine coolant system. The cooling fluid is circulated during a period following the engine cold start event when the heat load on the engine coolant system is low.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ozone generation and delivery system that lends itself to small scale applications and requires very low maintenance. The system preferably includes an anode reservoir and a cathode phase separator each having a hydrophobic membrane to allow phase separation of produced gases from water. The hydrogen gas, ozone gas and water containing ozone may be delivered under pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the electrochemical generation of ozone for use in “point-of-use” applications. The electrochemical ozone generators or systems of the present invention may be used to provide disinfected water, ozone-containing water, and/or ozone gas. Disinfected water may be produced by introducing ozone gas into a potable or purified water source for the purpose of disinfecting or controlling the microorganisms in the water source. Ozonated water or ozone gas may be produced and provided for various anti-microbial and cleansing applications of the consumer, such as washing food, clothing, dishes, countertops, toys, sinks, bathroom surfaces, and the like. Furthermore, the ozone generator may be used to deliver a stream of ozone-containing water for the purpose of commercial or residential point-of-use washing, disinfecting, and sterilizing medical instruments and medical equipment.

Abstract: This newly discovered asexually reproduced variety of zoysiagrass plant is a perennial having a superior rate of spreading with texture improved over common zoysiagrass, superior turf grass quality regarding compactness and low degree of thatch, and slightly darker than average green color.

Abstract: This newly discovered asexually reproduced variety of zoysiagrass plant is a perennial, having a superior rate of spreading with texture improved over common zoysiagrass, superior turf grass quality regarding compactness and low degree of thatch, and slightly darker than average green color.