Abstract: A process is disclosed for recovering elemental phosphorus from an aqueous sludge and converting the residue into non-hazardous waste. The sludge is separated into (1) a slurry of water containing suspended phosphorus and dirt particles and (2) coarse solids. A flocculating agent is added to the slurry to agglomerate the suspended phosphorus and dirt particles, which are recovered from the water and are heated to melt elemental phosphorus particles. A coalescing agent is added to coalesce the melted elemental phosphorus, which is separated from the dirt particles. The coarse solids are mixed with hot water to melt the phosphorus sludge, which is separated from inert solids. The solids are heated to burn any residual elemental phosphorus. The separated molten phosphorus sludge is stirred with a solution of chromic acid to recover the phosphorus as a separate phase. A reducing agent is added to the remaining water and solids to reduce the Cr+6 to Cr+3.

Abstract: An integrated circuit system has a reference data table for holding information that is used to control at least one circuit block in the system and also has a power supply circuit, a body bias control circuit, a clock delivery circuit, a temperature monitor circuit, and/or a configuration control circuit. The performance of the system is improved by obtaining system performance data by testing the system at different supply voltages, different body-bias voltages, different clock speeds, and/or different temperatures. Values based on the data are entered into the reference data table. The power supply circuit, the body bias control circuit, the clock delivery circuit, and/or the temperature monitor circuit data is adjusted using the entered values.

Abstract: A module for dispensing treats to a chewing animal has a hollow treat holder that has at least one aperture through which a treat can be inserted by a person or removed by a chewing animal and at least one end that can be removably attached to an end of another of said modules. The treat holder preferably has two ends, a male end and a female end, where the said male end locks into the female end and there is a treat barrier recessed into the ends. The hollow treat holder may have a variety of shapes such as straight, triangular, U-shaped, spheroidal, cubic, and L-shaped. A single module can be used as a treat-dispensing toy or a number of modules can be assembled together to form a larger treat-dispensing toy.

Abstract: A drive wheel for pulling a chain has a diameter that can be changed continuously as the drive wheel rotates. The drive wheel has a drive shaft and there are at least 2 chain-engaging means (teeth or blades) positioned around the drive shaft for engaging a chain. The wheel has a number of modules that support the chain-engaging means and permit the chain-engaging means to move slightly in a circumferential direction a distance sufficient to engage the chain. Module locks prevent such movement when the chain is engaged, but permit it when the chain is not engaged. Extenders connect the modules to the drive shaft and can change the distance between the modules and the drive shaft while the drive shaft is rotating. Extender locks prevent the extenders from changing that distance when the chain is engaged but permit such change when the chain is not engaged. A transmission can be made by connecting the drive wheel to a sprocket wheel with a chain.

Abstract: A complementary source follower circuit has an N-channel type transistor and a P-channel transistor. The threshold voltage of each transistor is independently controlled by a back bias voltage control circuit so that the input voltage and the output voltage relationship can be made linear without the use of an additional circuit such as a level shifting circuit. Also, power consumption can be reduced when the circuit is in standby mode by using the back bias voltage control circuit to achieve non-linearity. A back bias voltage control circuit can also be used to control the threshold voltage of a transistor in series with a resistance load to reduce power usage.

Abstract: Messages can be sent to a pet using a hand-held remote transmitter and a receiver that is attached to the pet. The receiver can record voice commands. When the transmitter sends a signal, the receiver picks up the signal and plays the recorded command to the pet. The receiver can also have one or more lights mounted on it that can be turned on by pushing buttons on the transmitter.

Abstract: A free-standing humidifier is suitable for placement near a source of heated air, which supplies the moving air that is humidified. The humidifier has a main reservoir for holding water, a rod having a length sufficient to extend across the reservoir, and panels that support the rod. The rod is held horizontally in a position higher than the reservoir and displaced horizontally away from the reservoir. A disposable paper towel is draped over the rod and one end of the paper towel is inserted through an opening in the top of the reservoir into water in the reservoir. Air flowing from the source impinges upon the paper towel and picks up moisture from it. A supplemental reservoir can be used to automatically supply additional water to the main reservoir from a water line that has a valve controlled by a float which turns the valve on and off.

Abstract: Fin-type field effect transistors are fabricated on a semiconductor substrate. Rectangular fins are formed on the substrate in a rectangular pattern of rows and columns and gate electrodes are deposited on at least two sides of the fins. The gate electrodes are implanted with ions at an angle &thgr; to a line perpendicular to the substrate, such that D≈H tan &thgr;, where D is the distance between fins in adjacent rows or columns and H is the height of the fins.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to various arrangements of optical and electronic components to form a high-resolution helmet mounted display (HMD) or other compact display device utilizing one or more reflective mode display devices for the generation of imagery, including those utilizing micro mirror technology.

Abstract: Integrated circuit chips can have a programmable data reference table that provides information required for circuit blocks on the chip to attain a desired performance, such as a certain power consumption and/or clock speed. The information entered into this table is based on data obtained from actual tests performed on the chip either when it is on a wafer or after it has been cut from the wafer. The tests determine the clock rates, supply voltages, and back-bias voltages at which the chip can successfully execute a program.

Abstract: a peptide product is made by enzymatically hydrolyzing a protein, such as whey protein concentrate, in two stages. A fungal protease is used to hydrolyze the protein in each stage. The hydrolyzed protein is dried to form a peptide product. The peptide product is non-allergenic and lacks the bitter taste that some other peptide products have. If can be used to make milk replacement products and various other food products.

Abstract: A process for producing peroxydicarbonates comprising first reacting at least one inorganic peroxide with at least one alkali metal hydroxide to form at least one alkali metal peroxide. The at least one alkali metal peroxide is added to a mixture of at least one haloformate, at least one dispersant and water. The mixture is homogenized during the entire reaction to form a peroxydicarbonate. The peroxydicarbonate is dispersed as small droplets of from 1 to 10 microns in size in the aqueous mixture. The entire mixture is added to a polymerization reactor containing an ethylenically unsaturated monomer. The peroxydicarbonate functions as the free radical initiator to polymerize the monomer. The peroxydicarbonate is substantially free of organic solvents and plasticizers. The resulting polymers are of high quality.

Abstract: A complementary source follower circuit has an N-channel type transistor and a P-channel transistor. The threshold voltage of each transistor is independently controlled by a back bias voltage control circuit so that the input voltage and the output voltage relationship can be made linear without the use of an additional circuit such as a level shifting circuit. Also, power consumption can be reduced when the circuit is in standby mode by using the back bias voltage control circuit to achieve non-linearity. A back bias voltage control circuit can also be used to control the threshold voltage of a transistor in series with a resistance load to reduce power usage.

Abstract: A vehicle has two suppoting wheels, each mounted on an axle. A carriage that can hold a human rider is positioned in between the supporting wheels, suspended from the axle. No portion of the carriage extends from the axles a distance greater than the radius of the supporting wheels. A driveable wheel, such as a sprocket gear, between the supporting wheels is mounted on an axle and moves with a supporting wheel. Turning the driveable wheel from the carriage causes the supporting wheel to turn. The supporting wheels can be connected at their peripheries so as to enclose the carriage. Alternatively, the supporting wheels can be unconnected and fixed to the axles so that they can rotate independently. The vehicle can be unpowered, powered by the rider, or powered by an engine. It can be adapted to ride on land, water, or snow and ice.

Abstract: Vertical and horizontal beams in a building are hollow and are filled with at least one container, such as a sack, a ball, or a liner, filled with a heat sink, such as water. In a vertical column, the weight of the containers rests on the foundation and is not carried by the beams. When a fire vaporizes the water inside vertical columns, it is replaced by water falling from higher up in the column.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to various arrangements of optical and electronic components to form a high-resolution helmet mounted display (HMD) or other compact display device. In particular, the current invention is designed in such a way as to allow it to operate utilizing several different kinds of image generation device and to incorporate many different features including the option of “eye tracking”.

Abstract: A bracket can be attached to a vertical wall so that it extends out from said wall. The bracket can hold a fixed rod to which is attached a shade. A second rod can be attached to the bottom of the shade. Cords pass over the bottom of the shade and through the brackets. Pulling on the cords raises the shade and releasing the cords lowers the shade.

Abstract: A lottery card reader is disclosed. The lottery card reader comprises (A) a clip that can be releaseably attached to any position along an edge of a lottery card and (B) a transparent flap attached to the clip that extends over at least one game on a lottery card when the clip is attached to a lottery card. Also disclosed is a method of checking a lottery card for winning numbers using the lottery card reader. Further disclosed is an assembly of the lottery card reader and a lottery card, a writing instrument, and/or an envelope into which lottery cards can be placed.

Abstract: A method of recovering elementary phosphorus from an aqueous sludge containing about 1 to about 15 wt % dispersed particles of phosphorus is disclosed. To the sludge is added about 1 to about 20 wt %, based on the weight of the phosphorus present in said sludge, of a phosphate salt that has the general formula: where R is an alkali metal or ammonium and n is 0 to 30. The phosphorus in the sludge is melted and the solids in the sludge are separated from liquid phosphorus and water. Liquid phosphorus is then separated from the water.

Abstract: A flexible, waterproof bag is used to contain a iceberg. The bag has an opening that can be closed and an edge around the opening. At least one float is attached to the edge of the bag and a drain is located away from the edge. One end of a conduit is attached to the drain and the other end of the conduit is attached to a buoy. A portion of the edge is sunk with a weight and is pulled under the iceberg. The sunken portion is re-floated by releasing the weight, which results in the edge surrounding the iceberg. The opening of the bag is closed over the iceberg.