Abstract: A method for determining the location of the accumulation fluids in a subterranean formation. The method includes the steps of determining a first velocity vector “Vx” for migration of fluid in a region of interest in the subterranean formation. The first velocity vector includes attributes of speed and direction of flow of fluid in a first direction in the region of interest. The method further includes determining a second velocity vector “Vy” for migration of fluid in the region of interest. The second velocity vector includes attributes of speed and direction of flow of fluid in a second direction in the region of interest. The velocity vectors are then extrapolated to identify the fluid accumulation location. The first and second velocity vectors are primarily functions of supplementary pressure “dP” in the region of interest, the permeability “c” of the region of interest, and the viscosity “u” of the fluid in the region of interest.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting an abrasive material includes a flexible base defined by a first end and a second end, and by a lower surface which supports the abrasive material and an upper surface opposite the lower surface. The flexible base is fabricated from a resilient material so as to assume an essentially flat shape when the ends of the flexible base are not acted on by external forces. A front frame is member attached to the flexible base proximate the first end, and a rear frame member is attached to the flexible base proximate the second end. An adjustable connecting link has a first end connected to the front frame member in fixed relation thereto. A second end of the adjustable connecting link is connected to the rear frame member by a variably positionable connection.

Abstract: In summary a device for removing airborne particulate of the present invention includes at least one chamber having an airstream inlet at an upstream end and an airstream outlet at a downstream end, an air mover cooperating with the at least one chamber so as to urge an airborne particulate laden airstream into the at least one chamber through the inlet, along a flow path through the at least one chamber, and out of the at least one chamber through the outlet, at least one water sprayer mounted to the at least one chamber for mixing a spray of water with the airstream in the flow path, at least one slurry collecting element mounted entirely across and in the flow path so as to seal across the chamber to prevent bypass of the airstream around the collecting element, the collecting element downstream of the water sprayer, the at least one slurry collecting clement including at least one array of slurry collecting members mounted so as to pass at least a portion of the airstream through the array, the at least o

Abstract: The invention includes methods and apparatus for fabricating a skating ring. One such apparatus is a curved element for skating rings which includes a plurality of vertical sup5 ports which are adapted to any curve shape. The apparatus further includes a plurality of horizontally arranged ribs and abutting double-curved shell segments made of several plane-like wood layers which are glued to each other. By being fixed to the support elements and ribs, the shell segments form a skating surface to be ridden on by skaters or the like. The shell segments are pre-shaped as at least one of single- or double-curves such that they can be fixed essentially stress-free onto the support elements and ribs. One method of the present invention includes a method for manufacturing shell segments for curve elements for skating rings. The shell segments include a plurality of plane-like layers of wood.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for filling a container with a liquid product. The apparatus includes various passageways which facilitate the evacuation of the container of atmospheric gases prior to filling as well as facilitating introduction of the liquid product into the container. The apparatus also allows for the introduction of a counter-pressure purge gas to be introduced into the container after evacuation to prevent reintroduction of atmospheric gases into the container during filling of the container with a fluid product. A method in accordance with the instant invention comprises substantially evacuating the container as well as introducing liquid product into the container.

Abstract: A fish hook remover is described which provides a shank that can include a handle. The shank has a spiral hook engaging flight. The spiral hook engaging flight is generated about an axis with a central hook shank receiving opening. A spiral line guide opening is defined by the flight that spirals into the central hook shank receiving opening such that a fish line engaged laterally by the flight will be guided into the central hook shank receiving opening.

Abstract: Single- or few-moded waveguiding cladding-pumped lasers, superfluorescent sources, and amplifiers, as well as lasers, including those for high-energy pulses, are disclosed, in which the interaction between the waveguided light and a gain medium is substantially reduced. This leads to decreased losses of guided desired light as well as to decreased losses through emission of undesired light, compared to devices of the prior art. Furthermore, cross-talk and inter-symbol interference in semiconductor amplifiers can be reduced. We also disclose devices with a predetermined saturation power. As a preferred embodiment of the invention, we disclose a single (transverse) mode optical fiber laser or amplifier in which the active medium (providing gain or saturable absorption) is shaped as a ring, situated in a region of the fiber's cross-section where the intensity of the signal light is substantially reduced compared to its peak value. The fiber can be cladding-pumped.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for creating a Bragg grating in an optical waveguide having an optical fiber on which the Bragg grating is defined, the Bragg grating having an actual response which closely approximates a desired response. The Bragg grating comprises a plurality of lines, each line being defined by a respective strength, and each line having a relative displacement from adjacent lines. The Bragg grating is designed using a serial iterative response. The serial iterative process can be used to calculate the strength and the line spacing of at least some of the lines. The serial iterative process can further be a function of a coupling function, which is a function of the strength and line spacing of the lines of the grating. A moving window can be used to limit the number of reflections in the impulse response which is used to calculate the next serial line spacing.

Abstract: A fish bait device has a substantially three-dimensional front portion having the appearance of at least the head of a given animal, and a substantially three-dimensional rear portion having the appearance of at least the tail or abdomen of the given animal. The front portion is pivotally connected to the rear portion, and together, the front and rear portions form an integral fish bait device which exhibits a realistic appearance and movement of an actual live bait. The front portion generally has a duct that directs a stream of liquid medium toward a deflecting surface on the rear portion. The deflecting surface deflects the stream causing the front and rear portions to swivel, or wiggle, relative to one another in a realistic movement of an actual live bait.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for an animal restraint are provided, wherein the animal restraint can be fabricated from a single continuous piece of cord with a series of knots formed therein. The series of knots includes a slide knot through which two lengths of the cord are passed in a substantially side-by-side manner. The cord is configured to define a head hole, a first leg hole, and a second leg hole, wherein the sizes of the first and the second leg holes are adjustable by moving the two lengths of cord in an adjustably slidable manner through the slide knot.

Abstract: An apparatus for phase angle demodulation. The apparatus functions as a highly-linear angle-modulation demodulator and is particularly useful for seismic streamers comprising very-large arrays of optical hydrophones. The apparatus includes a demodulator and a processor in which the demodulator contains a signal input and a reference input. The apparatus is configured such that a phase modulated signal having a carrier frequency is connected to the signal input, and a reference signal is connected to the reference input. A difference frequency is defined as the non-zero difference in frequency between the reference signal frequency and the carrier frequency. The processor filters the output from the demodulator in order to separate the phase demodulated signal from the difference frequency.

Abstract: A truck storage box having an access door, wherein the access door has, mounted thereon, an aerodynamic body panel of the kind used on commercial trucks and the like. The access door is hinged along a vertical hinge to open in a traditional door-like manner. The storage box can be affixed to the truck chassis between the front and rear axles of the truck. The aerodynamic body panel on the storage box can be overlapped on one end by an adjacent body panel such that access door of the storage box can be opened without interference between the two body panels. The access door can further include a step or steps which can be used by a driver for ingress and egress from the truck cab. The storage box further includes a latch and a locking mechanism to secure the access door in a closed position. A method of retrofitting a commercial truck having aerodynamic body panels with a storage box is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for tying knots, and in particular knots used in sport fishing. An apparatus in accordance with the present invention includes a holding member configured to allow a user to hold the apparatus, and a first arm defined by a longitudinal axis. The first arm has a free end and a junction end, and the junction end is attached to the holding member. The apparatus also has a second arm having a free end and a junction end. The junction end of the second arm is also attached to the holding member. The first arm free end and the second arm free end are positioned, or are configured to be positionable, in spaced apart relationship. Preferably, the arms are positioned in a splayed-apart position of between about 15 degrees and 160 degrees. The first arm defines a groove parallel to the longitudinal axis, the groove opening out of the free end of the first arm. The second arm free end defines a hook support configured to support a fishing hook.

Abstract: A force-transmitting device comprising an aluminum alloy shaft portion, a steel end portion, and a transition portion having a first portion of aluminum alloy and a second portion of steel which is bonded to the first portion at a bonded joint. The shaft portion is welded to the first portion and the end portion is welded to the second portion, forming an integral force-transmitting device. The device is configured to transmit a force between the shaft portion and the end portion by way of the bonded joint. A device constructed in accordance with the present from two different metals achieves weight savings over prior art single-metal devices, and is simpler to fabricate than prior art two-metal devices.

Abstract: A container and container mounting apparatus for releasably securable mounting of the container onto a generally horizontal rigid platform on a boat, where the platform is adjacent and aft of a transom on the boat, includes a container sized to stably rest, adjacent the transom on the generally horizontal rigid platform, a female receiver rail mountable to the platform, and a male coupling rail. The male coupling rail is mounted or mountable to a lower surface of the container along a rail axis. The male coupling rail is for sliding interlocking into along the female receiver rail when the female receive rail is mounted to the platform and the male coupling rail is mounted to the lower surface of the container.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for mapping a feature onto a simulated surface having contoured portions, the surface being definable by a plurality of generally adjacent triangulations, the surface being further definable by a plurality of intersecting isoparametric curves linking identified values of the feature to identified points on the surface. In one embodiment, the isoparametric curves are characterized in that when the surface is flat, the isoparametric curves intersect one another in a perpendicular manner, and the perpendicularity of the intersections on the contoured portions of the surface is maintained. In another embodiment, the isoparametric curves are characterized in that when the surface is flat. The isoparametric curves are spaced a predetermined distance apart, and the spacing of the intersections on the contoured portions of the surface is maintained.

Abstract: Single- or few-moded waveguiding cladding-pumped lasers, superfluorescent sources, and amplifiers, as well as lasers, including those for high-energy pulses, are disclosed, in which the interaction between the waveguided light and a gain medium is substantially reduced. This leads to decreased losses of guided desired light as well as to decreased losses through emission of undesired light, compared to devices of the prior art. Furthermore, cross-talk and inter-symbol interference in semiconductor amplifiers can be reduced. We also disclose devices with a predetermined saturation power. As a preferred embodiment of the invention, we disclose a single (transverse) mode optical fiber laser or amplifier in which the active medium (providing gain or saturable absorption) is shaped as a ring, situated in a region of the fiber' cross-section where the intensity of the signal light is substantially reduced compared to its peak value. The fiber can be cladding-pumped.

Abstract: The present invention includes the method of treating an infestation of Varroa mites in a honeybee colony including the steps of: (a) mixing a culture of Hirsutella Thompsonii fungus with a spreadable carrier media so as to form a carrier suspension; and, (b) dispersing the carrier suspension into the brood comb of a honeybee hive.

Abstract: Apparatus for the remote measurement of physical parameters comprising sensing means (1) for sensing at least one physical parameter, instrumentation means (2) for interrogating the sensing means (1) and making a measurement, cable means (3) for communicating between the sensing means (1) and the instrumentation means (2), container means (4) for containing the sensing means (1) and the cable means (3) prior to installation of the sensing means (1), container holder means (5) for providing a support for the container means (4) at a convenient location, channel means (6) for providing a channel between the container means (4) and a measurement location where the channel is suitable for accepting the cable means (3) and the sensing means (1), and cable installation means (9) for installing the sensing means (1) and cable means (3) from inside the container means (4) into the channel means (6) and placing the sensing means (1) at the measurement location.