Abstract: A protective apparatus for a pressurized breathing vessel consists of a protective valving member and carrying member. The protective valving member is a rigid member with apertures that allow the gauge and top of the pressurized vessel to be accessible. It also has a slot that extends from the bottom and hook and loop material for attachment to the carrying member. The carrying member is flexible and has mating hook and loop material for attaching the member to the protective valving member. When the carrying member is wrapped tightly around the protective member the slot decreases in size and the protective valving member is held securely to the pressurized breathing vessel.

Abstract: An apparatus for grading crayfish is provided, comprising a tank having a bottom and sides forming a cavity which will hold water; and a grate assembly having multiple, vertically separated tiers to form spaces between adjacent tiers of sufficient size to accommodate a pre-determined amount of crayfish of pre-determined size. Each tier comprises multiple, horizontally separated round bars, the spacing between the bars in each succeeding lower tier being less than the spacing in the upper tiers. A process for grading crayfish of multiple sizes is also provided, comprising the steps of loading crayfish onto a top tier of a grate assembly of the type described above positioned in a water-filled tank, lifting the grate assembly from the tank after a period sufficient in time to allow all crayfish to seek the lowest level tier achievable in accordance with their size, and removing all crayfish located between one set of adjacent tiers separately from crayfish located between any other set of adjacent tiers.

Abstract: A method for converting a contaminated waste material which is not environmentally acceptable to one that is environmentally acceptable. The waste material is mixed with an effective amount of reagent material, such as fly ash, in a containing means, such as an earthen pit. An effective amount of water is then added to cause an exothermic reaction and cause the temperature of the mixture to reach about 140.degree. F. to about 180.degree. F. The so-treated mixture is then allowed to dry without setting.

Abstract: A flanged washer spring is provided, comprising a first disk having a central opening, outer periphery, a first side and a second side, the first disk further having an annular inner flange extending axially from the first side, and an annular outer flange extending axially from the second side, wherein a radial distance from the outer flange to the central opening is greater than a radial distance from the inner flange to the central opening. The disks are normally used in pairs with the outer flanges of the disks positioned axially adjacent to each other. The springs may be used in combination with a tool, such as a drilling accelerator or jar, having an elongated tubular body having a body stop for axially retaining a spring, and an elongated mandrel slidingly mounted within the tubular body, the mandrel having a mandrel stop for axially retaining a spring, the spring comprising a plurality of stacked disks.

Abstract: An improved mechanical seal is provided, wherein an annular inner flange extending from a gland plate having inlet and outlet openings is provided with a series of notches between the inlet and the outlet openings, the notches running in the direction of rotation of the shaft around which the seal is attached. The annular inner flange extends inwardly toward and close to the shaft. A series of axial notches made in the rotary sleeve of the seal, extending beneath the stationary seal assembly further increases pumping efficiency, and may be used to circulate barrier fluid without the notches in the flange. A recess in the flange at the outlet opening may used to further increase circulation efficiency.

Abstract: A device to assist in removing a fetus from a woman's birth canal during childbirth is provided having a pliable, elongated, hollow member sized to fit over the head of the fetus, collar means attached at one end of the member to restrict the opening of the hollow member at that end to the desired size and insertion means for inserting the elongated, hollow member over the head of the fetus. The hollow member can be linearly reinforced along it's length.

Abstract: A seafood separator for separating sea creatures captured by a net is provided, comprising a support structure attached to the deck of a boat; a number of vertically arranged frames attached to the support structure, each frame containing a screen for retaining sea creatures of predetermined sizes, wherein the grid spacing of each screen is smaller than the grid spacing of any higher screen. Each screen is capable of slidable motion relative to the support structure or to any other screen in order to facilitate cleaning and seafood removal. A tray for collecting trash and unwanted seafood is attached to the support structure below a lowermost screen and has an end positioned over the boat deck to allow return of the trash back into the sea. A method for separating sea creatures and returning undesirable sea creatures back to the sea alive is also provided.

Abstract: An emission control valve is claimed which is used to control emissions into the atmosphere of a medium, such as liquids, gases, and/or solids, which is being regulated and transported. The apparatus generally comprises a valve body, a valve rack, a first and second valve member disposed within the body, disc means for allowing communication between the first and second valve members, and a pinion member for cooperating with the valve rack.

Abstract: A vessel and a steering mechanism for the vessel is disclosed. In one embodiment, the vessel comprises a hull, a motor apparatus for providing propulsion to the hull, a pedestal mounted within the hull, and a pulley device, operably connected to the pedestal, for steering the vessel. The pulley device may comprise a first, second and third rimmed disc which are interconnected by cable means.

Abstract: A method for accurately determining the formation pressure of earth formans. Formation measurements are made with by use of a novel downhole tool which allows drilling mud to enter the tool in such a way that decompression of drilling mud is controlled so that the pressure in the borehole is allowed to fall only slightly below the formation pressure. The drawdown of mud into the tool is then stopped and the pressure is allowed to stabilize at the formation pressure. The measurement is completed in a matter of a few minutes as opposed to hours, or even days, as required by more conventional techniques.

Abstract: In a loudspeaker having a yoke assembly including a top plate and a yoke fixedly attached to opposite sides of a magnet to form an air gap between the plate and the yoke into which a voice coil operatively extending from a diaphragm is positioned, the yoke affixed to a magnet base through which electrical terminals extend, one end of the terminals being operatively attached to the voice coil, the magnet base having an open end near the diaphram and being positioned in a housing and the magnet base having a grille covering its open end, and its end opposite the open end being enclosed by a base member of the housing, an improvement to the loudspeaker is provided which comprises the mounting plate having (i) a stud constructed having a head member fixed to the mounting plate and having a shaft extending upward from the plate and toward the yoke wherein the shaft has a threaded section of sufficient length to be screwed into a mating threaded opening in the center section of the yoke, and (ii) at least one passa

Abstract: In combination with a steam generator having a plurality of generator tube support plates, each generator tube support plate having a plurality of openings and a plurality of generator tubes, each tube passing through aligned openings in the support plates, a corrosion monitoring system is provided including a mockup probe, comprising a probe tube support plate having an upper side and a lower side and having substantially the same thickness and being constructed of substantially the same material as the generator tube support plates, having at least one opening of substantially the same size and shape as the openings of the generator tube support plates; at least one probe tube having an upper end and a lower end and having substantially the same diameter as the generator tubes and being constructed of substantially the same material as the generator tubes, the probe tube passing through the opening of the probe tube support plate; and wherein the mockup probe is adapted such that it may be inserted and seal

Abstract: Apparatus and processes for treating an incinerated waste material feedstock to obtain a "free-from-ash" ferrous metal product are disclosed which provide for early separation of the initial feedstock into a predominately ash stream and predominately ferrous metal stream by a two step separation based on size of the material and use of dual trommels or special bar screens and dual magnet arrangements.

Abstract: The snapping and biting response of ictalurid catfish, and fish with similar feeding habits, are released by the use of the free amino acids: L-proline, L-alanine, and L-arginine, and mixtures thereof, at concentrations above those normally found around the fish's normal, or natural foods.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovering and recycling used refrigerants from automotive air conditioning systems and similar air conditioning systems is disclosed having a unique cleaning assembly, a unique coolable storage means, and for recharging recycled refrigerant a unique metering means, as well as gauge assembly for measuring the amount of gas contaminates in the used refrigerants.

Abstract: A beverage product comprised of rice bran; honey which is substantially free of spores, proteins, and coliform bacteria; and a whey protein concentrate. A preferred beverage product has a rice bran to whey protein concentrate in a weight ratio from about 1:3 to 3:1. The beverage product is preferably a liquid comprised of the above components with the balance being selected from water, a milk, and fruit juice.

Abstract: A device for protecting the threads of a well casing pipe which comprises a body constructed from flexible material and having resilient characteristics, wherein the body has a central opening sized to fit about the threads, a passageway extending through the body concentric to the central opening, a locking section having a cavity connecting to the passageway, a strap constructed from a high tensile strength fiber web material and positioned in the passageway with its opposite ends extending into the cavity, and a locking means operatively attached to the opposite ends of the strap to tighten the strap about the body to the degree necessary for the body to contact the threads.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the wettability of an earth formation wherein a fluid sample from the wall of a borehole penetrating said formation is extracted then reinjected into the wall of the formation. A pressure versus time curve is generated throughout the test from which the wettability of the formation is determined by comparing how much the injection pressure varies from the static pressure to how much the extraction pressure varies from the static pressure. A wettability index can also be determined from the areas under the curve.

Abstract: An improved insertion instrument for a vena cava filter is provided and iudes a filter retainer attached to the catheter for preventing accidental ejection of the filter and for enabling retraction of the filter into the carrier body at any time prior to complete ejection; a directional control mechanism attached to the plunger housing for allowing a user to guide the filter retainer through a vascular network; and a simplified plunger locking mechanism on the plunger for preventing premature ejection of the filter.

Abstract: A biofilter is provided, including a tank, having a bottom, a top and a sidewall having a lower portion which is inwardly sloping toward the bottom; floating filter media in the tank, the media forming a floating media pack when the tank is filled with liquid and the media are undisturbed, the media pack having a bottom and a top; a screen having openings adapted to prevent the floating filter media from passing therethrough, positioned in the tank between the bottom of the tank and the top of the tank; an agitator having a blade, the agitator being attached to the tank and adapted such that the blade is at least partially imbedded in the media pack when the tank is filled with liquid; an inlet line fluidly connected to the tank below the screen; a sludge drain line fluidly connected to the lower portion tank below the screen; a sludge valve, positioned in the sludge drain line; and an outlet line fluidly connected to the tank above the screen.