Abstract: A ball drawing apparatus for drawing a series of balls at random includes a transport arrangement (10) for receiving the series of balls (15) and positioning each ball in a reading position. Each ball (15) includes a transponder (46) which is adapted to transmit an identifying signal when energized by an energizing signal. The identifying signal may be used to identify the particular ball (15) and provide a number or other symbol which is printed on the ball. A reader unit (12) includes a transmitter/receiver (41) and antenna (25) combination which transmits the energizing signal to each ball (15) as the respective ball passes through the reading position, and then receives the resulting identifying signal transmitted from the respective ball transponder (46). The transmitter/receiver (41) communicates the identifying signal to a control system (14) which displays the symbol of the identified ball. Control system (14) controls the operation of all elements of the ball drawing apparatus.

Abstract: A chemical blending system having more than one chemical blending vessel (12, 12') with inlets at the top. A pair of automatic inlet valves are connected to the top of each chemical blending vessel, one with a large inlet orifice and one with a relatively much smaller inlet orifice. At least two chemical batch tanks are connected to the pair of automatic inlet valves and chemicals to be mixed are delivered there at high speed by pumps. Weight cell devices (30) are attached to the bottom of each blending vessel. A controller/computer is connected for the automatic control of pumps (28, 36) and valves (20, 50, 58). A discharge line is connected to the bottom of blending vessels and to a receiving station, and includes pulsation dampeners (38), filters (40) and static mixers (42). A sampling device (46) is connected a recirculation line for the sampling of the blended chemical during recirculation and prior to delivery.

Abstract: An artificial surface active soft plastic lure (16) includes emulsifiers so that the plastic lure (16) reacts in the presence of water and loses a measurable portion of its mass. Fish attractants and stimulants (12) are added to the surface active soft plastic lure (16) so that as the lure (16) reacts, fish attractants and stimulants (12) are actually released into the water for sensing by fish. The emulsifiers are selected from a group of chemicals including nonionic, amphoteric, alkanolamide, sorbitan monooleates, fatty acids, sulfonates, fatty esters, phosphate esters, amines, anionic, cationic, monostearates, sorbitan tristearates, and sorbitan trioleates. Preferred fish attractants include dehydrated protein and amino acids, in particular amino acids which are water soluble and alkaline or neutral substances having a pH of approximately 7-8. In the preferred embodiments, the amino acids are selected from a group including betaine, glycine, glutamic acid, proline, taurine and valine.

Abstract: A wheel (10) with a rim (12) and at least one spoke (14) includes a rim (12) wherein the depth of the rim (12) varies circumferentially around the rim (12). At least one spoke (14) with a first end (16) connected to the rim (12) and a second end (18) connected to a wheel hub (20) is provided wherein the cross-section of the spoke (14) varies from the first end (16) to the second end (18). The rim (12) depth varies circumferentially so that the depth is greater between the spokes (14) and less at the spokes (14). Further, the spoke (14) cross-section is symmetrical at the second end (18) connected to the wheel hub (20) and asymmetrical at the first end (16).

Abstract: An exclusive OR circuit (10) includes an input stage (11) and a control arrangement (12,13) for controlling an exclusive OR logical evaluation. The control arrangement includes a pre-charge stage (12) which responds to a first level clock signal to enable the desired exclusive OR logical evaluation. The input stage (11) is connected to receive a first input signal and a second input signal and is also connected to an evaluation node (23). When the logic state of one input signal is unequal to the logic state of the other input signal, the input stage (11) couples the evaluation node (23) to ground. An output stage (13) of the control arrangement inverts the signal at an internal node (24) to produce the output from the exclusive OR circuit. A pre-charge stage (12) couples the internal node (24) to the evaluation node (23) only in response to a "high" clock signal.

Abstract: A waste treatment process includes charging a reactor container (12) with a reactant alkaline metal alloy (10) and isolating the reactant alloy from oxygen gas. After heating the reactant alloy (10) in the reactor container (2) to a minimum of 770 degrees Celsius, a waste material is introduced into the molten alloy, preferably below the surface of the alloy. The waste material is pyrolized in the reactant alloy (10) to produce useful chlorine salts and other materials. The reactant alloy (10) includes magnesium and/or lithium, aluminum, zinc, calcium, and copper.

Abstract: An unrestricted motion device (10) has a sample holder (12), a detector holder (14) capable of independent multi-dimensional movement, a radiation source (16) and a radiation source holder (42) also capable of independent, multi-dimensional movement. In a preferred embodiment, the radiation source (16) is an x-ray tube. A controller (18) is connected to the sample holder (12) and detector holder (14) as well as to radiation source (16) so as to enable control of the independent movement of the sample holder (12) and detector holder (14), as well as operation of radiation source (16) and independent movement of radiation source (16). So long as any two of the sample holder (12), detector holder (14) or radiation source holder (42) are capable of multi-dimensional, independent movement, the entire diffraction cone (40) can be observed and analyzed. In a preferred embodiment, the holders are robots.

Abstract: A manipulating apparatus (10) receives a plurality of previously frozen pieces of foodstuffs or workpieces (23) and physically manipulates or stresses the workpieces while they remain in a frozen state. The physical manipulation causes relative movement between various points within the volume of the workpieces (23) and kills microbes within the foodstuff. One preferred manipulating apparatus includes a pair of spaced apart, ridged rollers (24,25). The rollers (24,25) have a minimum clearance less than an initial thickness of the workpieces (23). A drive arrangement (30) drives the rollers (24,25) in counter-rotating fashion toward each other to pull workpieces (23) through the minimum clearance area. As the workpieces (23) pass between rollers (24,25), the workpiece material spreads out laterally and bends between opposing ridges (38). This lateral spreading and bending produces relative movement throughout the volume of the workpieces (23).

Abstract: A hydrothermal process (10) is integrated into a wastewater treatment facility (12) to fully oxidize an undigested wastewater sludge produced by the treatment facility. A thickened and conditioned feed mixture comprising sludge from the treatment facility is first pressurized to a critical pressure and then heated to a reaction initiating temperature below the critical temperature. An oxidant is injected into the feed mixture at the reaction initiating temperature to initiate an oxidation reaction in low light-off temperature constituents of the feed mixture to produce a partially reacted mixture and raise the temperature of the partially reacted mixture to at least the critical temperature for water in a supercritical water oxidation reactor (52). Heat from the supercritical water oxidation reaction is used to heat the feed mixture and also, to condition the sludge from the wastewater treatment plant preferably by thickening and heating the sludge.

Abstract: A method of comparison includes the step (14) of obtaining an interior and exterior image of an object to be compared. A standard of measurements for an acceptable object is created in step (12). An automatic comparison is made in step (14) of the image of the object to be compared with the standard and a comparison report is generated in step (16) listing deviations of the image of the object to be compared from the standard for the acceptable object. An x-ray CT scanner (76) may be utilized for obtaining the images and the standard may be derived from an actual, acceptable object or from design specifications for acceptable objects. In a preferred embodiment, CAD designs are utilized to create the standards for comparison.

Abstract: A column (10) of a memory array includes a plurality of memory cells (11, 12) each having first and second independent access ports (T1, T2) and a cross-coupled memory latch (20). The first access port (T1) of each memory cell (11, 12) connects a first node (21) of the latch (20) to a first bit line (14), while the second access port (T2) of each memory cell connects a second node (22) of the latch (20) to a second bit line (15). A clearing arrangement (T7) is connected to the second bit line (15) for selectively coupling the second bit line to ground. A write driver is connected to the first bit line (14) for writing data to the memory cells (11, 12) in the form of single-ended signals. A memory cell is placed in a preset condition by simultaneously coupling the second node (22) to the second bit line (15) through the second access port (T2) and coupling the second bit line to ground through the clearing arrangement (T7).

Abstract: An apparatus for drying objects with fluids includes the introduction of an object (46) to be dried into a container (12). The container (12) is filled with a first fluid (48) from the bottom (16) of container (12) to a predetermined level. Subsequently, a volatile second fluid is introduced at the bottom (16) of container (12) so as to form a stable interface (56). Thereafter, volatile second fluid (50) is continued to be introduced into container (12) until first fluid (48), interface (56), and some portion of volatile second fluid (50) passes through exit (24) and two-way exit valve (26). At that point, pump (40), pumping volatile second fluid (50) into container (12), is stopped and two-way exit valve (26) closes so that residual first fluid (48) and volatile second fluid (50) pass through excess drain line (32) to first and second fluid recovery reservoir (34).

Abstract: An information element to be published is first associated with a first network addressable location of a communications network. A repository arrangement programmed in a computer receives the information element to be published and stores the information element at a second network addressable location. The computer implementing the repository arrangement is connected to the communications network. When the information element is stored by the repository arrangement, a handle production arrangement programmed in the computer produces a repository handle for the information element. The repository handle includes identifying information relating to the information element to be published and information from which a network address for the second network addressable location may be produced. An information organizing arrangement programmed in the computer retrieves the repository handle for the information element to be published and stores the repository handle under a first network addressable location.

Abstract: A reaction chamber (20) is charged with a reactant metal (18) which is heated to a molten state by a suitable heating arrangement (21). A field generating arrangement (17) generates a unidirectional electromagnetic field through the molten reactant metal (18) and through at least one target area preferably within the molten reactant metal. The electromagnetic field directs beta particles toward the first target area. A radiation absorbing module (15, 16) is positioned in the first target area and includes at least one radiation absorbing material (75, 76). The radiation absorbing material (75, 76) in the modules (15, 16) absorb the beta radiation which has been directed to the target area by the electromagnetic field.

Abstract: A toner cartridge (10) includes a bin component (11) and a cover component (12) adapted to be connected together in a connected position. The bin component (11) includes a toner bin (14) having a bin opening (15) and further includes a toner bin sealing surface (20) extending around the periphery of the bin opening (15). The cover component (12) includes a cover opening (26) and a cover sealing surface (30). When the bin component (11) and cover component (12) are in the connected position the toner bin sealing surface (20) is aligned with the cover sealing surface (30) so that the surfaces defining a seal receiving pocket. The seal receiving pocket is adapted to receive a toner bin seal (60) which includes a base sheet (61) comprised of a resilient material having a thickness greater than the clearance between the toner bin sealing surface (20) and cover sealing surface (30).

Abstract: An apparatus providing low volume irrigation from a previously installed sprinkler irrigation system including one or more sprinkler heads connected to a water supply conduit. The apparatus includes a manifold (50) having a water distribution passage (34) therein. The water distribution passage (34) includes an inlet end (35) and an outlet end (36) with the outlet end adapted to receive a conveyance channel (38) for distributing water to an emission point (42, 43). A flow control device (39) is associated with the water distribution passage (34) to control the flow rate of water through the passage to a rate exceeding a local hydraulic loading rate of the soil in the area around the emission point (42, 43). The manifold (50) is connected to receive water which is supplied to the sprinkler head through the water supply conduit.

Abstract: A hemispheric moving focus power plant (10) has a hemispheric solar reflector (12) for reflecting solar energy. A receiver (14) for receiving reflected solar energy and producing power therefrom is movably connected to the hemispheric solar reflector (12). The receiver (14) includes a frame with a top (24), to which a plurality of photovoltaic cells are connected, and a support (26). Further, a power conditioner (16) is connected to the receiver (14) for receiving power from the receiver (14) and conditioning the power for use.

Abstract: A saddle tree (10) for use in building a western equestrian saddle includes two laterally spaced, elongated bars (12) adapted to extend along either side of the horse's spine when the saddle tree (10) is in a riding position on the horse. A swell (14) is connected between the laterally spaced bars (12) at a forward end of the bars (12). A stirrup slot (20) is positioned in a center portion (18) of each bar for accepting the stirrup leathers for the saddle. Each stirrup slot (20) has a front edge (40) positioned at least two and one-eighth inches behind the back surface (28) of the swell (14). A center seat section or ground seat (18) positioned between the laterally spaced bars (12) includes a lowest point along its centerline positioned at least four inches behind the back surface (28) of the swell (14) and no more than eight inches behind the back surface (28) of the swell (14).