Abstract: Compositions formed in accordance with a method of controllably altering the mineral matter transformation of mineral compositions such as, for example, vermiculitic micas, to achieve metamorphosed mineral compositions having specifically desired monatomic lattice defects are provided that exhibit physical properties desirable in a variety of industrial applications, including, for example, control and/or reduction of NOx, SOx, COx and other gaseous chemical species from industrial effluents, atmospheric control systems, fabrication and use of chemical detectors, and solid state electronic substrates and devices.

Abstract: A pipe-inspection system (100) is provided. The system (100) is made up of a transmission cluster (104) incorporating a transmission unit (800) between first and second wheeled guidance units (400), and a reception cluster (104?) incorporating a reception unit (1400) between third and fourth wheeled guidance units (400). Each wheeled guidance unit (400) contains a plurality of wheels (416) radially disposed in each of a plurality of planes (420, 426, 432). Transmission unit (800) contains a transmission device (1004). Reception unit (1400) contains a reception device (1604). The system (100) is compatible with RFEC inspection techniques to inspect a pipeline (102), where transmission and reception devices (1004, 1604) are an RFEC transmitter and receiver, respectively. A lead line (106) is attached to the first guidance unit (400) to move the system (100) in a forward direction (108).

Abstract: A base (108) for supporting a pole puller (110) utilized to manipulate a pole (186) includes first and second bearing arms (112, 114) configured to rest on a surface (60) with the pole (186) located between the first and second bearing arms (112, 114). A cross member (128) interconnects the first and second bearing arms (112, 114) and a housing (138) extends from the cross member (128) into which the pole puller (110) is seated. A flexible member (62) coupled to a ram (174) of the pole puller (110) encircles the pole (186). An upward force (72) is imposed on the flexible member (62) via the ram (174) to extract the pole (186) from a fixed, upright position in the ground (60). The support provided by the base (108) prevents the pole puller (110) from kicking into the ground as the upward force (72) is imposed.

Abstract: Systems for handling and/or dispensing hydrogen or a mixture of fuels containing hydrogen gas including refueling stations for hydrogen-powered vehicles. Pure hydrogen or various mixtures ratios of hydrogen and CNG may be dispensed. Hydrogen handling equipment may include a hydrogen generator, a pressurizing apparatus or compressor, pressure vessels, piping, valves, vent pipes, and/or a dispenser. Substantially vertical orientation of pressure vessels may reduce the amount of land required and facilitate installation in urban environments. Pressurization may take place before hydrogen generation to reduce the power required for pressurization. Safety features include enclosures and surrounding walls that lean away from the equipment. Any leaking hydrogen, fires, or explosions may be contained and/or directed upward, protecting human life and property. Systems may be shop assembled and certified.

Abstract: A system (42) for treating a columnar element (22) at a remote location (28) includes a vehicle (68) having a moveable base (98), a clamp (100) attachable to the columnar element (22), a rotating member (104), and a jack (108) having an effector (112) coupled to the rotating member (104). The jack (108) and rotating member (104) lift the effector (112) above the base (98) and rotate the effector (112) about the columnar element (22). A vehicle controller (58), remote from the vehicle (68), but in communication with the vehicle (68), controls the components of the vehicle (68). A method (186) for treating the columnar element (22) using the vehicle (68) entails navigation and positioning of the effector (112) at the region of interest (30) via the vehicle controller (58), and enabling delivery of a medium (72) from the effector (112) about a circumference of the columnar element (22).

Abstract: A slurry monitoring system is provided. A filter encompasses a filter chamber containing a purge piston. During a monitor operation, the purge piston is retracted, and slurry enters the filter chamber through the filter, then passes into an outlet pipe, where a characteristic of the slurry is monitored by a monitoring device. During a purge operation, a flush valve is opened to allow water to pass into the filter chamber through an inlet pipe. The purge piston is extended to force filtered slurry from the filter chamber. The water dilutes filtered slurry remaining in the filter chamber. The flush valve is then closed and the purge piston retracted. This forces diluted slurry to pass out of the filter. This purges the filter. Diluted slurry also passes into the outlet pipe, which purges the outlet pipe and monitoring device.

Abstract: Stationary and on-board battery chargers, methods of charging batteries, electric-vehicle chargers, and vehicles with chargers, including electric vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles. Chargers may automatically charge at the correct battery voltage for various types of batteries. Chargers have variable AC power supplies controlled by digital controllers, isolation transformers, and rectifiers. Transformers may be foil-type, and may have copper foil. Power supplies may be variable-frequency generators and the controllers may control the frequency. Use of the variable frequency generator supply facilitates reduced component size and weight and better battery charging performance. Electric vehicle chargers may have card readers, and vehicles may have batteries and a charger. Methods of charging include identifying the battery type and gradually increasing the charging at different rates of increase while monitoring charging voltage, charging current, or both, until a current lid is reached.

Abstract: A clamp (40) for attaching a vibration damper to an energized suspended conductor (98) includes a base (42) having a first clamp member (46) with first and second extension sections (50, 52). The clamp (40) further includes a second clamp member (56) positioned between the extension sections (50, 52), and an eyebolt (58) for securing the second clamp member (56), to the first clamp member (46). The extension sections (50, 52) continuously abut the second clamp member (56) to prevent its rotation about the eyebolt (58). During installation, the eyebolt (58) is captured by a hook member (92) of shotgun stick (94) and a single lineman secures the vibration damper to the conductor (98).

Abstract: A fail-safe electrical control system in the form of a sensor loop (24) is provided. The sensor loop (24) includes any number of sensor units (22) coupled in series. Each sensor unit (22) includes a local power source (26), a local sensor (14), and a local indicator controller (30). The local power source (26), local sensor (14), and local indicator controller (30) are coupled in series within the sensor unit (22) and the sensor loop (24) to form a closed circuit (40) that does not require a central controller or the performance of loop configuration activities. The local power sources (26) distributed throughout the sensor loop (24) within the sensor units (22) are all isolated from the earth. In one preferred embodiment, the sensor loop (24) controls the movement of solar collectors (12) into wind stow positions when high wind (16) conditions occur.

Abstract: A reactor core (104) includes fuel assemblies (202) arranged in a loading pattern (1100) in response to corresponding power levels of the fuel assemblies (202). A crud deposition model (412) is used to predict crud deposition on the fuel assemblies (202) and fuel pins (300) within the fuel assemblies (202). The prediction of crud deposition enables generation of the loading pattern (1100) and design of lattice structures (1600) for the fuel assemblies (202) that results in the reduction of total crud deposition in the reactor core (104) and causes a substantially uniform crud deposition on the fuel assemblies (202) of the reactor core (104).

Abstract: A pole bridle (20) for facilitating the manipulation of a pole (22) by a hoist includes plates (24) configured for placement in spaced-relation about the pole (22). Retaining members (26) are coupled to an outer surface (28) of the plates (24). The retaining members (26) are configured to retain a flexible member (62) of the hoist in encircling-relation about the pole (22). An upward force (72) imposed on the flexible member (62) creates a transverse force (74) on the plates (24) to direct the plates (24) against the pole (22). The transverse force (74) largely prevents the plates (24) from slipping along the pole (22) as the upward force (72) incrementally extracts the pole (22) from a fixed, upright position in the ground (60).

Abstract: A method of controllably altering the mineral matter transformation of mineral compositions such as, for example, vermiculitic micas, to achieve metamorphosed mineral compositions having specifically desired monatomic lattice defects is provided. Compositions formed in accordance with the method are also provided that exhibit physical properties desirable in a variety of industrial applications, including, for example, control and/or reduction of NOx, SOx, COx and other gaseous chemical species from industrial effluents, atmospheric control systems, fabrication and use of chemical detectors, and solid state electronic substrates and devices.

Abstract: A clamp (40) for attaching a vibration damper to an energized suspended conductor (98) includes a base (42) having a first clamp member (46) with first and second extension sections (50, 52). The clamp (40) further includes a second clamp member (56) positioned between the extension sections (50, 52), and an eyebolt (58) for securing the second clamp member (56), to the first clamp member (46). The extension sections (50, 52) continuously abut the second clamp member (56) to prevent its rotation about the eyebolt (58). During installation, the eyebolt (58) is captured by a hook member (92) of shotgun stick (94) and a single lineman secures the vibration damper to the conductor (98).

Abstract: A galvanic cell system (50) in fluid communication with a dewatering system (40) of an inhibited oxidation scrubber (20) removes an oxidation catalyst, i.e., solution phase iron (98), from the process liquor (42) produced by the dewatering system (40) and replaces the iron (98) with magnesium (104) in an oxidation-reduction reaction. An electrolytic cell system (154) in fluid communication with a dewatering system (144) of a forced oxidation scrubber (128) removes an oxidation inhibitor, i.e., solution phase aluminum (174), from the process liquor (146) produced by the dewatering system (144) and replaces the aluminum (174) with iron (170) in an oxidation-reduction reaction. The process liquor (42, 146) is subsequently returned to the scrubber (20, 128) with the solution phase metal (98, 174) selectively removed, thereby enhancing the scrubbing efficiency of the scrubber (20, 128).

Abstract: A celestial tracking apparatus (20) has a support (26), a tracking assembly (28) coupled to the support (26) by an azimuth pivot (36), a collector assembly (30) coupled to the tracking assembly (28) by an elevation pivot (38), a wind-speed sensor (172), and a controller (150) coupled to the azimuth and elevation pivots (36,38) and configured to cause the collector assembly (30) to assume a wind-stow position (66) when the sensor (172) detects a wind having a speed greater than a predetermined speed, upon failure of a component of the apparatus (20), or upon receipt of a wind-stow command. The collector assembly (30) has a solar collector (22) with a substantially flat surface (24), a center of gravity (52), and a target axis (54) substantially perpendicular to the substantially flat surface (24) and passing through the center of gravity (52).

Abstract: A tilted single-axis tracking system (20) for collecting solar energy includes a structure (22) for supporting an array (26) of photovoltaic (PV) modules (24) above a surface (28). The structure (22) includes a frame (34) having first and second legs (40, 42) configured to extend upwardly from the surface (28) and join at an apex (54). A base tensioning member (44) of the frame (34) is interposed between the first and second legs (40, 42). A torque tube (36) is pivotally retained by the frame (34) at the apex (54) and is configured for attachment of the array (26) of PV modules (24). A foot member (38) pivotally retains a tube end (60) of the torque tube (36) and is configured to rest on the surface (22). A first tensioning member (106) is coupled between the foot member (38) and the first leg (40), and a second tensioning member (108) is coupled between the foot member (38) and the second leg (42).

Abstract: An expandable hybrid electric generator (20) includes a number of power blocks (22) that may be nearly identical to one another. The power blocks (22) are controlled by a master controller (34), and an external supervisor (30) performs some master controller (34) functions should the master controller (34) fault. The power blocks (22) each include a battery bank (42) and an inverter/charger (44), both of which couple to a DC bus (40). The inverter (44) and an AC generator (50) couple to an AC bus (24). The DC busses (40) of the power blocks (22) remain independent of one another, but all power blocks (22) couple together at the AC bus (24). The master controller (34) issues instructions to the inverters (44) that maintain approximately equal states at the independent DC busses (40) of the power blocks (22).