Abstract: An enclosure thermal shield (10) has a thermally insulated open container (12), a thermally insulated closure member (14), a thermally conductive liner (16) along the container's inner surface and along the inner surface of the closure member (14) forming a thermal circuit when the closure member (14) closes the container (12), and a heat reservoir (18) in thermal contact with the thermal circuit. The heat reservoir (18) can be placed within the container (12) or incorporated into the closure member (14). If incorporated into the closure member (14), the heat reservoir (18) can be placed in direct thermal contact with the thermal circuit or connected to the thermal circuit via a thermal conduit (28). The thermal shield (10) can further comprise a layer (26) of insulating material lining the interior surface of the conductive liner (16). Heat pipes can also be employed as a part of the thermal circuit.

Abstract: A tube support device particularly well suited for neon tubing comprises a channel shaped portion and a cap portion. The channel shaped portion has at least one bottom leaf spring portion extending angularly toward the longitudinal axis of the tunnel for biasing a tube against movement toward the bottom wall, at least one first side leaf spring portion extending angularly toward the longitudinal axis of the tunnel for biasing a tube against lateral movement toward the first sidewall, and at least one second side leaf spring portion extending angularly toward the longitudinal axis of the tunnel for biasing a tube against lateral movement toward second sidewall. The cap portion, when in the latched position, has at least one upper leaf spring portion extending angularly toward the longitudinal axis of the tunnel for biasing a tube away from the cap portion. The device is preferably unitary thermoplastic construction for low cost and to provide cushioned and electrically insulated support for the tube.

Abstract: Lethal Toxin Neutralizing Factor has been isolated in purity from opossum serum by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) fractionation. The amino acid sequence from the N-terminal for the first fifteen amino acids of LTNF-n is: Leu Lys Ala Met Asp Pro Thr Pro Pro Leu Trp Ile Lys Thr Glu. Antibodies to LTNF-n and synthetic peptides consisting of fifteen, ten and five amino acids from the N-terminal of the above sequence, designated as LTNF-15, LTNF-10 and LTNF-5 were produced by immunizing Balb/C mice to produce Anti-LTNF-n, Anti-LTNF-15, Anti-LTNF-10 and Anti-LTNF-5. The anti LTNF-n, anti-LTNF-15, anti-LTNF-10 and anti-LTNF-5 react immunologically with all types of toxins derived from animal, plant and bacteria and can be assayed by immunological in vitro test such as ELISA tests. Anti-LTNFs react roughly proportional to lethal dose of biological toxins under in vitro immunological ELISA test similar to the mouse bioassay test.

Abstract: Human immunodeficiency virus inhibiting protein (HIVIP) has been isolated from a poisonous snake, the Australian Taipan, Oxyuranus Scutellatus. HIVIP is characterized as a potent inhibitor of HIV-1 and HIV-2 viruses in cell culture. HIVIP is characterized as a stable, non toxic component of venom, having molecular weight 13,500 Daltons revealed by gel electrophoresis. The partial sequence of HIVIP for its first fifteen N-terminal amino acids is given by SEQ. ID. No: 1: Asn Leu Ala Gln Phe Gly Phe Met Ile Arg Cys Ala Asn Gly Gly. The active domain of HIVIP was isolated and determined to be SEQ. ID. NO.: 2: Ala Lys Ala Gly Ser Asp Asn Thr Lys Gly Gly Val Try Pro Met Phe Gly Met. Various peptides containing at least a portion of this sequence from the N-terminal have been shown to inhibit other RNA viruses in cell culture and are collectively termed RIPs, RNA virus Inhibitor Peptides. Such peptides can be made in abundance and cheaply to provide a synthetic therapeutic for the infections caused by RNA viruses.

Abstract: The present invention provides a speed governor (5) suitable for use in a fluid driven down-hole tool (3). The speed governor comprises an actuator (7) operatively coupled to a motive fluid flow control valve (6). The actuator is and arranged so as to be activatable, directly or indirectly, in response to the running speed of the tool (3), for opening of the control valve (6) with increasing rotational speed of the motor (3) above a predetermined speed limit thereby to limit the rotational speed of the downhole tool (3).

Abstract: A torque track in conjunction with parallelogram links and a hydraulic cylinder is used for multiple purposes in a drilling rig top drive system. The torque track is rotationally mounted within the mast between the crown and the rig floor and pivotally mounted by the parallel linkages to the sides of a power swivel. The hydraulic cylinder is mounted to an arm at the lower end of the track and it's other end is connected to the fixed rig structure. When the power swivel is supplying torque during drilling, the linkage transmits the torque to the track which is restrained from rotating by the hydraulic cylinder. The torque is thereby transmitted via the hydraulic cylinder to the fixed rig structure rather than the mast. The hydraulic cylinder can also be used as a load cell to allow torque measurement as well as to pivot the power swivel when needed for pipe handling purposes. The arrangement thus provides triple top drive functionality.

Abstract: A packing assembly for a column comprises a cage element which carried a packing element. The packing element comprises a first plurality of parallel plates and a second plurality of parallel plates. The first plurality of parallel plates have peripheries which enable them to be accommodated within a sphere. The second plurality of parallel plates interconnect the first plurality of parallel plates and are positioned normally to the first plurality of parallel plates. The second plurality of parallel plates have peripheries which enable them to also be accommodated within the sphere. The packing element is housed in a spherical cage element which possesses a crush strength sufficient to withstand crushing forces to be encountered when the packing assembly is deployed in a column. The packing element self-orients in the column during use to reduce pressure drop and improve performance during the course of operations.

Abstract: A composition of matter comprises a pathogen-targeting organic moiety which is conjugated to a radioisotope which has a half-life of less than 100 days. The composition can be synthesized by bringing together a radioisotope having a half life of less than 100 days with a greater than stoichiometric amount of a complexing agent so as to form a first mixture containing a reaction product between the radioisotope and the complexing agent; removing the excess complexing agent from the mixture; and bringing together the first reaction product and an antibody substance so as to form a second mixture containing a reaction product between the first reaction product and the antibody substance. The composition is deposited on a particulate substrate and is useful for treating infectious diseases caused by pathogens by passing the patients blood through a bed formed from the particles.

Abstract: A clamp assembly is provided for clamping one tubular to another, such as a control line to a marine choke and kill riser line. The clamp assembly comprises an upper clamp half, a lower clamp half, a hinge pin connecting the halves, and a fastener latching the halves. The fastener comprises a bolt carried by a rotatable pivot pin mounted in the lower clamp half. Slots are provided in the upper clamp half and the lower clamp half so that the bolt can swing in and out of engagement with the clamp halves to permit the assembly to be opened for mounting the tubular, and then closed and locked by tightening the bolt to retain the tubular in the clamp assembly. Loose parts are thereby avoided.

Abstract: A composition of matter comprises a pathogen-targeting organic moiety which is conjugated to a radioisotope which has a half-life of less than 100 days. The composition can be synthesized by bringing together a radioisotope having a half life of less than 100 days with a greater than stoichiometric amount of a complexing agent so as to form a first mixture containing a reaction product between the radioisotope and the complexing agent; removing the excess complexing agent from the mixture; and bringing together the first reaction product and an antibody substance so as to form a second mixture containing a reaction product between the first reaction product and the antibody substance. The composition is useful for treating infectious diseases caused by pathogens.

Abstract: A porous barrel, projectile passageway, or tube as a type of supersonic nozzle for projectile propulsion therein and method for optimizing projectile velocity therethrough. The porous barrel features a barrel wall containing holes, passageways, or otherwise porous material through the barrel wall that allows gas, fluid, or other matter to exit or move in a direction away from the barrel interior. The flow of gas, fluid, or other matter away from the barrel interior allows gas within the barrel to expand in a direction transverse to the projectile path. The amount of transverse expansion of the gas in the barrel interior can be controlled by the porosity of the barrel wall to cause any desired amount of gas expansion. Transverse expansion allows axial gas velocities within the barrel to exceed the local speed of sound as if the gas had passed through a converging diverging nozzle.

Abstract: Gel formation is prevented in the reaction between a sulfonyl-chloride-containing resin and a polyamine by first forming an adduct between the resin with an aminophenol. The prevention of gel formation enables sulfonyl-chloride containing resin to be used in admixture with acrylates and epoxy resin to form a polyamine-curable adhesive composition having excellent adhesive properties and chemical resistance.

Abstract: A primer for flame sprayed polyolefin comprises an epoxy resin, preferably of low molecular weight and/or low viscosity; and an amine hardener, part of which becomes highly reactive on exposure to open flame, providing near instant cure of the composition under flame spray conditions. The invention is unique that it provides strong adhesion to steel, even where the surface preparation is less than ideal, as well as to concrete and other substrates. The primer eliminates the need to preheat the substrate. The primer has strong adhesion to the topcoat polyolefinic material, especially to a functionalized topcoat. The composition withstands open flame and does not char under polyolefin flame spray conditions, nor does it run or sag, and it is not prone to failure as it cools after the application of the polyolefin.

Abstract: A dribble less pressure relief valve for power swivels includes a relief valve body, a valve seat insert for the body, a plunger valve element to seat against the insert, and a biasing means to urge the plunger against the valve seat. The valve is designed to hold pressure drop-tight, and if opened, to reclose drop-tight.

Abstract: An improved culture vessel or bioreactor for growing cells, cellular aggregates, tissue particles or tissue “organoids” and methods for using same which includes a housing having at least one chamber defined by a curved wall symmetrical about an axis. The perfused version of the vessel has at least one inlet and at least one outlet and at least one filter in fluid communication with at least one of the inlets or outlets structured to pass culture media but retain cells, cellular aggregates or tissues within the culture chamber. The batch culture version of the vessel has at least part of the vessel wall made of a gas permeable material. The vessel housing is rotated about the horizontal or proximate horizontal axis to suspend the cells, in an unobstructed, three-dimensional or toroidal flow. The chamber has a substantially ellipsoid, oblate ellipsoid, spherical or oblate spherical shape and an unobstructed volume for growth of cells, cellular aggregates or tissues.

Abstract: Column packing elements comprise and preferably consist of two individual components, namely a strong and rigid “outside” cage, and an “inside” variable component preferably formed of a monofilament and/or mono-multi-filament fibers, which can be varied to produce a significant increase in surface area of the known art in random packings.

Abstract: A steam turbine of the type which incorporates a turbine case defining a plurality of passages having outlets opening through an inside end wall of the turbine case in a direction generally parallel to the turbine shaft, with nozzles positioned over the outlets to direct steam against the periphery of the turbine wheel, can be modified to a higher efficiency design. To perform the modification, the nozzles are removed, an arcuately shaped housing is positioned in covering relationship with the outlets, and an arcuately shaped louver is positioned so as to form an end wall of the housing. The louver has a plurality of vanes to direct the steam against the periphery of the turbine wheel to cause rotation of the turbine shaft and the housing forms a confined steam flow path from the outlets to the louver. The downstream turbine blading can be modified if desired.

Abstract: A two-chamber perfusion bioreactor counteracts a significant amount of shear stress while allowing high nutrient transfer and removal of waste and/or valuable bio-products, e.g., protein, hormones, growth factors, and monoclonal antibodies without disturbing the cell culture. Cells and tissues, contained in the growth chamber, are suspended in the growth media by rotation of the vessel and are separated by a porous membrane from the feeding chamber. Nutrients and gases are transferred across the membrane from the feeding chamber to the growth chamber. Even dispersion of nutrients along the membrane barrier is accomplished through a novel nutrient dispersion flow path. The flow path is created by flowing media out a center shaft in the vessel and along the front of the nutrient dispersion disk. The fluid then flows around the back of the nutrient dispersion disk and exits the outer center return shaft.

Abstract: A tool for separating twisted wire has a pair of longitudinally-spaced-apart parallel separator elements with each separator element having a post portion, a generally annularly shaped end flange portion positioned on the end of the post portion, and a blade portion protruding outwardly from a periphery of each end flange. Each blade is angled away from the other separator element of the pair at an angle in the range of from about 45 degrees to about 85 degrees and pointed in a direction for co-rotation about an axis between the parallel posts. The blades are inserted between the first wire strand and the second wire strand from opposite directions so that the first wire strand will be guided into position against a first of the posts and the second wire strand will be guided into position against a second of the posts. The tool is then rotated around the axis between the parallel posts to separate the first wire strand from the second wire strand.