Abstract: A CNG fuel tank system is provided for mounting on the roof of a bus. The system includes a support frame mounted on the roof of the bus. The support frame includes at least one longitudinal frame wall extending generally parallel to the length of the bus. Each tank cylinder has associated therewith first and second saddles which are attached to one side of one of the frame walls. Each saddle has a base oriented vertically and engaging in the first frame wall. Each saddle includes an arcuate recess spacing sideways from this frame wall. Each tank cylinder is received in the arcuate recesses of the saddles associated therewith. Each saddle has associated therewith first and second strap assemblies which extend around the tank cylinder to secure the tank cylinder to the saddles and thus to the support frame. Preferably, a set of four parallel tanks are mounted in the fashion described on two parallel longitudinal frame walls. There is one tank hung in a cantilever mode off either side of each frame wall.

Abstract: A centralized bicarbonate mixing system is provided for a plurality of dialysis machines of a dialysis clinic. The system includes a source of purified water, a mix tank, an eductor having a hopper for receiving dry bicarbonate material, a mixing pump and a mixing conduit loop connecting the mixing pump, the eductor and the mix tank so that as water is circulated by the mixing pump through the mixing conduit loop, the dry bicarbonate material is drawn into the eductor and mixed with the water. The system further includes a circulation tank, and a transfer conduit connecting the mixing conduit loop to the circulation tank, so that a mixed bicarbonate solution can be transferred from the mixing conduit loop to the circulation tank. The system further includes a circulation pump, and a circulation supply conduit connecting the circulation tank and the circulation pump so that mixed bicarbonate solution can be pumped from the circulation tank to the dialysis machines.

Abstract: An audio communications and control system includes a plurality of audio devices each of which includes a device interface module for communication of digital audio data and control data from at least one of the devices to at least one other of the devices. A universal data link is operatively connected to each of the device interface modules. The device interface modules and universal data links are operative in combination to connect the devices together in the system and provide full duplex communication of the digital audio data and control data between the devices.

Abstract: A plumbing system for a pure water supply of a dialysis clinic includes an isolation block assembly to which the various purifying components can be quickly connected and disconnected. The isolation block assembly includes an isolation block which has both a supply passage and a discharge passage defined therethrough. A first self sealing quick connect part is connected to the supply passage outlet. A second self sealing quick connect part is connected to the discharge passage inlet. The purifying component may be connected to the isolation block assembly through the use of flexible conduits having complementary self sealing quick connect parts connected thereto, so that the flexible conduits may be connected to the quick connect parts of the isolation block assembly.

Abstract: A toolholder apparatus is provided for holding a cutting tool adjacent a rotating workpiece. The apparatus includes a mounting block base and a mounting block body slidably supported on the base. A first adjustable connector connects the body to the base so that a position of the body on the base can be adjusted in a first direction toward the workpiece. A center adjustment block slidably engages the body. A second adjustable connector connects the center adjustment block and the body so that a position of the center adjustment block on the body can be adjusted in a second direction transverse to the first direction and transverse to the rotational axis of the workpiece. A head is detachably mounted on the center adjustment block. The head is removable from the center adjustment block by sliding movement in a third direction transverse to both of the first and second directions.

Abstract: A process is provided for surface treatment of surgical operating instruments so as to provide an extremely effective gripping surface of the instrument which very effectively grips a patient's tissue. Particularly the process is applicable to surgical ligation clips and clip appliers, which are used to ligate a blood vessel or the like. Operating instruments such as ligating clips and clip applicators produced with the process are also disclosed.

Abstract: A bat comprising a tubular body having a handle portion, a tapered mid-section and a barrel or impact portion. The barrel portion merges with the tapered mid-section at an annular indentation formed in the body. The bat further includes an exterior shell disposed about the barrel portion of the bat in a manner that enables unrestricted movement of the shell upon impact with a ball. The opposing ends of the shell are cooperatively tapered with opposing ends of the barrel portion. The bat further includes a knob attached at the terminus of the handle portion, and an end cap attached at a terminus of the sleeve and barrel portion.

Abstract: A paper handling system includes first and second inclined conveyors. The first inclined conveyor operates at a first speed and has an output end. The second inclined conveyor operates at a second speed and is operably positioned to receive paper output from the first inclined conveyor. The second speed is greater than the first speed. The inclined conveyors are preferably inclined at an angle in the range from 15° to 35°. By transporting the paper up the inclined conveyors, upper layers of paper are allowed to slide down over lower layers of paper thereby creating a thinner stream of paper.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a roll cutter. The roll cutter has a housing. To the housing, there is attached a base, a cutter assembly, and an optional hoist assembly. The hoist assembly is a telescoping tower that allows the user to engage a roll using a hoist. The hoist can then pick up the roll and move it onto the stand. Once on the stand, the cutting assembly having a cutting tower, a cutting arm, and a saw can be placed at the desired level of cut. A saw can then be used to cut away the roll until it is the desired width. A sanding blade can be used to sand the edge of the roll.

Abstract: A gas turbine fuel injection system of the lean direct injector type designed to reduce nitrous oxide (NOx) emissions is provided. The configuration includes a pilot fuel injector for injecting a pilot fuel stream, and a pilot swirler for providing a swirling pilot air stream to atomize and entrain the pilot fuel stream. A main airblast fuel injector is located concentrically about the pilot fuel injector, for injecting a main fuel stream concentrically about the pilot fuel stream. Inner and outer main swirlers provide a swirling main air stream to atomize and entrain the main fuel stream. An air splitter is located between the pilot swirler and the main swirler. The air splitter is so arranged and constructed as to divide the pilot air stream exiting the pilot swirler and the air splitter, from the main air stream exiting the inner main swirler, whereby a bifurcated recirculation zone is created.

Abstract: A system is provided for the heat disinfection of a fluid supply system for a dialysis machine. The system is provided with plastic conduits constructed of a material suitable for heat disinfection, preferably cross linked polyethylene conduit. A source of hot water is provided, and the hot water is flowed through the plastic conduit for sufficient time and at a sufficient temperature to disinfect the plastic conduit. This system uses a heat exchanger that utilizes fluid provided from a boiler to heat the water. The fluid supply system may employ bicarbonate fluid.

Abstract: The present invention includes devices and methods for handling and sorting paper. Devices for accelerating and spreading paper from a paper input to a sensor are disclosed. Operably thin layers of paper are passed through a sensor at cost effective feed rates. One embodiment of the invention includes a spreader positioned to receive paper from the input and an inclined feed section downstream of the spreader. The inclined feed section includes first and second inclined conveyors to further accelerate and spread the paper. A feed accelerator is operably positioned to receive paper from the second inclined conveyor. The feed accelerator further accelerates and separates the paper. The feed accelerator feeds the paper to the sensor which is operably connected to an ejector downstream of the sensor. Targeted paper is ejected from the paper stream and product paper continues downstream to a product conveyor.

Abstract: A fishing apparatus includes a buoyant collapsible pole assembly which has first and second elongated buoyant poles connected by a pivotal connection. The pivotal connection allows the first and second poles to pivot between an extended position wherein the poles extend in opposite directions from the pivotal connection, and a folded position wherein the poles extend in the same direction from the pivotal connection. A plurality of line storage and dispensing stations are attached to the pole assembly at spaced locations along the pole assembly.

Abstract: A modular patient healthcare room interior assembly is provided for creating a room in an unfinished space of a building. The interior assembly includes a modular sidewall assembly which includes a plurality of pre-fabricated wall panel segments connected together. Each wall panel segment includes a finished interior wall surface. A divider wall separates the room into a bedroom and a bathroom. A pre-fabricated vanity unit is located in the bathroom. The vanity unit includes a vanity countertop, a vanity wash basin and a vanity perimeter wall. A prefabricated bathing unit is located in the bathroom. A pre-fabricated nurse's station is located in the bedroom.

Abstract: A cyclic or “huff and puff” enhanced oil recovery process utilizes purified nitrogen gas as the injection gas. The purified nitrogen gas is preferably generated near the well site by the use of a membrane separator. The resulting purified nitrogen gas comprises at least about 90% by volume nitrogen with the remaining gas mixture fraction being primarily oxygen. The producing well is shut in. The gas mixture is injected down through the well into the formation. The well is then shut in allowing the gas mixture to soak into the formation for a predetermined period of time of at least 7 days and in some cases as much as 180 days or more. Then the well is placed on production and additional hydrocarbons are produced back from the same well into which the nitrogen gas was injected.

Abstract: A fill block is provided for a CNG fuel system for a transit bus or similar vehicle. The fill block includes a integral one piece body having first and second ends defining a length therebetween. The body has a main bore defined therein. A ball valve is received in the body and has a handle extending from the body. The ball valve is movable between open and closed positions, wherein the main bore is opened and closed, respectively. A fueling port is defined in the body and communicated with the main bore. A defueling port is defined in the body and communicated with the main bore. A fueling receptacle is connected to the fueling port. A defueling receptacle is connected to the defueling port. A defueling valve is provided for selectively communicating the defueling port with the main bore or isolating the defueling port from the main bore.