Abstract: A method for calculating underground storage tank (UST) buoyancy and buoyancy safety factors defines boundaries of side areas such that the boundaries do not overlap for multiple tank installations. Installation plan information may be input over a medium such as the Internet. The computer calculates the buoyancy and buoyancy safety factor and returns this information to the requesting party over the same medium. This technique allows installers to verify the adequacy of installation plans quickly. Records of the information provided by the installer may be kept so the recipient of the information (typically the UST manufacturer) can reconcile differences between the actual installation and the installation plan in the event of UST flotation. The information may be provided on a paper form supplied by the installer.

Abstract: A human body is three-dimensionally reproduced to create a computer-rendered model. The model is dynamically manipulable to adjust or customize the dimensions of the model to specified measurements. Computer renderings of garments are stored in the computer. The model may be “clothed” with one or more garments, the representation of a garment being accurately adjusted to reflect its fit on a model of the model's particular dimensions. The computer will accurately represent the specific dimensions of the items of clothing in relation to the customized dimensions of the virtual mannequin. The virtual mannequin may be rotated and may be animated to thereby model the clothing and observe the interaction of the clothing with the environment. Once satisfied to the accuracy/appropriateness of the clothing, the computer can output appropriate dimensional, color and related coordinates.

Abstract: A triple-walled underground storage tank is provided with primary, secondary and tertiary walls. Between each two adjacent walls, an annular space is provided. The annular space is continuous throughout, and permits the flow of liquid therein. Monitors may provided separately for each annulus, to detect the formation of leaks, or a lack of containment, in either wall defining the annular space. In one embodiment, the tertiary wall is a smooth cylinder formed about the circumferential ribs of the secondary wall. In the alternative embodiment, the rib-bearing wall is the tertiary wall, and the walls and annular materials of the tank are formed within a female mold. In either case, a tank prepared from integral ribs, with superior robustness and strength, is provided with triple containment.

Abstract: An online monitoring search engine. The invention is a system, method and computer program product that allows an organization, company, or the like to monitor the Internet (or any computer network) for violations of their intellectual property (e.g., patent, trademark or copyright infringement), or monitor how persons on the Internet view their business, products and/or services. The system includes a Web server for receiving search requests and criteria from users on a Web client and a server for searching the Internet for URL's that contain contents matching the search criteria, thereby compiling a list of offending URL's. The system also includes a file system for storing contents from each of the offending URL's and a relational database for allowing the server to perform queries of the content in order to produce a report. The method involves receiving search criteria from a user, searching the Internet, downloading offending contents, and then archiving and scoring the contents.

Abstract: A method for modeling the behavior of an underground structure such as an underground storage tank under seismic loads includes the steps of constructing separate finite element models for the ribs, tank and fill material. The fill material model comprises a plurality of three-dimensional solid “brick” elements. The tank model comprises a plurality of three dimensional plate/shell elements. The rib model comprises a plurality of beam elements. The nodal points for the beam elements correspond to nodes defining one edge of the tank shell. The tank/rib model is preferably joined to the soil model through a plurality of radial link elements between the brick and shell elements. Spring elements may also be added for stability. A dynamic vertical or horizontal forcing function from an earth quake is then applied to the model. Stress and/or displacement results from horizontal and vertical forcing functions may then be combined if desired.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of storing gas using gas hydrates comprising forming gas hydrates in the presence of a water-surfactant solution that comprises water and surfactant. The addition of minor amounts of surfactant increases the gas hydrate formation rate, increases packing density of the solid hydrate mass and simplifies the formation-storage-decomposition process of gas hydrates. The minor amounts of surfactant also enhance the potential of gas hydrates for industrial storage applications.

Abstract: A method for processing asbestos-containing waste from a waste generating site, wherein the waste is transferred from the site to a processing reactor without exposing the waste to an external environment, a basic reaction solution is fed into the reactor, a reaction is carried out to give a substantially fiber-free reaction product, and the reaction product is separated into a solid phase and a liquid phase. The separated liquid phase is optionally recycled to form the basic reaction solution and the separated solid phase is optionally recovered to enable upgrading thereof.

Abstract: This invention provides a immobilized receptors on supports in liquid chromatographic systems. The method of the invention provides means of evaluating the attachment of agents to receptors comprising the steps of: (a) immobilizing receptors on artificial membrane supports in a column, (b) exposing the supports with the receptors to test agents at varying concentrations in a liquid chromatographic system, (c) eluting the test agent from the column, and (d) evaluating the elution profile of the test materials from the column. Using this method, it is possible to evaluate the interaction of the test agent with the receptor. Following elution, it is possible to directly determine molecular structure by passing the elute through other testing devices such as a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: A solar control coated substrate with high reflectance (RL) and comprises a pyrolytically-formed coating layer containing oxides of tin and antimony in a Sb/Sn molar ratio of from 0.03 to 0.16, characterized in that the coating layer further contains additives comprising at least one element selected form the group consisting of aluminum, chromium, cobalt, iron, manganese, magnesium, nickel, vanadium, zinc, and zirconium and is free from fluorine, whereby the so coated substrate has a reflectance of at least 10%. The invention covers a process for making such a coated substrate and a glazing panel incorporating such a coated substrate.

Abstract: A method of crystallizing tetrabromobisphenol A is described, which comprises continuously and simultaneously feeding a methanolic tetrabromobisphenol A solution and water separately to a first crystallizer to obtain a slurry in which a part of the tetrabromobisphenol A is crystallized and continuously and simultaneously feeding said slurry and water separately to a second crystallizer to crystallize substantially the whole amount of the tetrabromophisphenol A.

Abstract: A transparent heat-swellable material, a method for its preparation and fire-resistant glazing panels in which it is incorporated, are provided by a mixture of hydrated alkali metal silicate and an additive selected from polyalcohols and mono-or polysaccharides, in which the additive content is in the range of 5 to 22% by weight, the water content is in the range of 12 to 19.5% by weight, and the hydrated alkali metal silicate has a silicon oxide (SiO2): alkali metal oxide molar ratio greater than 3.3 to 1. Glazing panels including the said material offer thermal insulation of greater than 30 minutes, a barrier to flames and fumes for greater than 90 minutes and thermal radiation of less than 10 kW/m2, or even of less than 6 kW/m2, after 90 minutes.

Abstract: A ceramic welding process for the formation of a coherent refractory repair mass on a surface of an electrocast refractory material includes providing an electrocast refractory material having a surface to be repaired; providing a first powder mixture comprised of combustible particles, refractory particles, and at least one constituent which enhances production of a vitreous phase in the coherent refractory repair mass; and projecting the first powder mixture in a gas stream containing oxygen against the surface to be repaired so that the combustible particles react with the projected oxygen against the surface in a highly exothermic manner and release sufficient heat of combustion to form a first coherent refractory repair mass.

Abstract: A smart antenna, i.e., blind adaptive antenna array, is a method and system to suppress multiple access interference and to improve performance, for example in a code division multiple access (CDMA) wireless communications system, including third generation (3 g) cdma2000 and wide band (W)-CDMA. A convergence parameter is employed in a smart antenna processor. In general, a constant convergence parameter value is empirically determined and used after studying the convergence speed and the steady state mean square error (MSE) or other performance data, such as bit error rate. As the convergence parameter value increases, the convergence speed also increases but the MSE increases unfortunately, and vice versa. The traditional smart antenna with a constant convergence parameter would yield poor performance when the channel environment changes, which is true particularly when a mobile user moves around.

Abstract: A vegetation cutting tool such as a brush cutter, lawn mower, etc. includes a hub (110) for mounting on the rotary shaft of the brush cutter and blades (112) mounted thereto via pivoted links (116). In use the blades are held by rivets (114), having enlarged eccentric heads (122), which are received in keyhole-shaped slots in the blades. Thus the blades may be readily removed without tools by first rotating a blade and then translating it relative to the hub. The blades may be enlarged in width towards their distal ends which are radiused with a smaller radius than that of the cutting circle.

Abstract: This invention relates to certain phenylheterocyclic compounds, herbicidal compositions thereof and a method for their use as general and selective preemergent or postemergent herbicides or plant growth regulants.

Abstract: A soil- and grass seed-less sod precursor containing a non-woven bio-cellulosic fiber mat and grass sprigs. The sod precursor can be used to produce a soil-free sod which is useful for manufacturing athletic fields, golf courses and lawns.

Abstract: Chemiluminescent 1,2-dioxetane compounds capable of producing light energy when decomposed, substantially stable at room temperature, represented by the formulas I or II:

Abstract: A telescoping and rolling cover assembly for a barge includes a plurality of cover sections that travel along a track or tracks provided on the barge coaming. The cover sections may be provided with anti-derailment clamps that engage a vertical lip of the barge coaming to prevent the covers from being pulled off the track. The clamps may further be provided with wind latch extensions that secure the cover sections when in a stacked position. The cover sections may be provided with a stacking shelf that provides a surface on which an overlying stacked cover may rest. The cover sections may travel along one or more tracks provided on the sides of the barge coaming. A portion of some cover sections may travel along tracks attached to underlying cover sections. The cover assembly may be made of fiber reinforced plastic.

Abstract: An apparatus connectable to a brake master cylinder for regulating pressure in a hydraulic brake system. The apparatus includes an outer casing housing a cylinder portion and a piston slidable therewithin. A pressure chamber forms between the cylinder wall and the piston. The piston includes a seal within an outer groove to prevent fluid leakage. The cylinder portion includes an inlet hole for hydraulic fluid flow into the cylinder and an air discharge valve. A fixing member having an extension with a concave portion is threadably attached to the lower end of the case, and a rod portion of the piston slidably fits into the concave portion. A spring providing a constant pre-pressure is located between a shoulder of the piston and a pressure controlling member abutting the fixing member, such that the end of the rod remains a fixed distance from the bottom of the concave portion.

Abstract: Spiroadamantyl dioxetanes bearing an alkoxy substituent, and an aromatic substituent of phenyl or naphthyl on the dioxetane ring can be activated to chemiluminesce if the aromatic substituent bears a moiety designated OX, wherein the X is cleaved by an enzyme with which the dioxetane is permitted to come in contact with. The T½ kinetics of the chemiluminescent reaction, as well as the signal intensity, or quantum yield of the chemiluminescent reaction, can be altered by selection of an electron-withdrawing or an electron-donating group Z, at positions on the aromatic substituent other than those adjacent the point of attachment to the dioxetane. Signal strength can further be enhanced by recognized chemiluminescent enhancers.