Abstract: A module pack for relaying communications and data information includes: (a) a portable housing, (b) an audio signal receiver disposed within the housing, the audio signal receiver being capable of receiving electromagnetic audio signals, (c) a video signal receiver disposed within the housing, the video signal receiver being capable of receiving electromagnetic video signals, (d) a radiation dosimeter receiver disposed within the housing, and radiation dosimeter receiver being capable of receiving radiation dosimeter data, and (e) a communications data transmitter for transmitting the audio signals, the video signals and the dosimeter data to a location separate from the housing via a single communications data transmission cable.

Abstract: A continuous process for removing organic contaminants from a subsurface formation.

Abstract: A vest useful for work in radioactive environments is provided. The vest comprises (a) a garment for substantially traversing the upper body of a user while being supported by the shoulders of the user, the garment having a front portion, a rear portion, opposed side portions and opposed shoulder portions, (b) a pocket disposed on the portion of the garment for accepting and retaining a communications data transmitter with dosimeter, and (c) a pair of adjustable sleeve elements attached to the garment, each sleeve element having a sleeve pocket for accepting and retaining a remotely transmitting dosimeter probe at a position above the elbow of the user. The invention has been found to provide a convenient method for firmly retaining at least five personal teledosimeter detectors on the upper torso of a worker having to work within a radiation hazardous environment.

Abstract: An electrical power distribution system having geographically separated plural generation stations and geographically separated loads is improved by dynamically offsetting a nominal real power operating point of a main control system driving a power control element that variably feeds electrical power onto a network of transmission lines between the stations and the loads in response to deviations in frequency and/or phase of alternating current power on the network. The generation station can include an actuator control circuit for driving the control element in response to a power setting signal, the actuator control circuit incorporating a delay component, an offset signal connection downstream of the actuator control circuit bypassing the delay component. Preferably the system further includes means for monitoring a threshold level of the deviations, and means for inhibiting the means for dynamically offsetting until the deviations exceed the threshold level.

Abstract: A continuous process for removing organic contaminants from a subsurface formation. Including the steps of (a) injecting steam into the subsurface formation via an injection conduit, (b) removing a liquid stream from the subsurface formation via a liquid recovery conduit, (c) removing a vapor stream from the subsurface formation via a vapor recovery conduit, the vapor stream comprising both condensible vapors and non-condensible vapors, (d) combining the liquid stream and the vapor stream to create a combined stream and cooling the combined stream in a heat exchanger so that substantially all of the condensible vapors are condensed to condensed liquids, the condensed liquids being combined with the ground water liquid stream to form a combined liquid stream, and (e) separating the non-condensible vapors from the combined liquid stream.

Abstract: A communication network includes multiple mini-hub terminals for transmitting and receiving information from multiple remote terminals. Some of the multiple mini-hub terminals, and some of the multiple remote terminals are capable of wireless communication respectively with each other through satellite communication means. A co-located terminal is hard wire connected with at least some of the mini-hub terminals. At least some of the terminals includes a flat antenna comprising a ground plane and a substrate forming at least one in flat array antenna mounted relative to the ground plane. The flat array antenna has multiple spaced dipoles formed on the substrate to constitute the array, and a transmission line formed on the substrate connecting the spaced dipoles. The transmission line is for connection with a link to a terminal with which communication is to be affected by signals through the antenna. A mobile antenna has beam steering lenses for forcing the signal.

Abstract: The invention is a protective head gear ("cap") useful for work within hazardous environments, especially within radioactive environments. The protective cap includes: (a) a hood for covering a substantial portion of the head of a user, the hood having a top portion, a rear portion and opposed side portions, (b) a top flap centrally disposed on the top portion of the hood, the top flap being reversibly opened and closed to reversibly accept and retain the lateral support bridge of an audio head set, (c) a pocket disposed on the hood for accepting and retaining a remotely transmitting dosimeter probe and a passive dosimeter, (d) opposed ear openings for exposing the ears of the wearer of the hood so as to allow the wearer to position the ear piece portions of an audio head set over the user's ears, and (e) ear opening flaps for reversibly covering and uncovering each ear opening, each ear opening flap being sufficient in size to cover each ear opening when the wearer is wearing an audio head set.

Abstract: A system for generating electricity comprises a fuel cell, a heating stage, and an integral, power generator. The power generator comprises a compressor, an electricity generator and a turbine. Hot exhaust gas from the fuel cell is used for driving the turbine, which in turn drives the generator and the compressor. Both the fuel cell and the generator produce electricity. The compressor is used for compressing air for use in the fuel cell. A portion of the waste heat from the turbine drive gas is used for preheating the air utilized in the fuel cell.

Abstract: A communication network comprises multiple mini-hub terminals for transmitting and receiving information from multiple remote terminals. Some of the multiple mini-hub terminals, and some of the multiple remote terminals are capable of wireless communication respectively with each other through satellite communication means. A co-located terminal is hard wire connected with at least some of the mini-hub terminals. At least some of the terminals includes a flat antenna comprising a ground plane and a substrate forming at least one in flat array antenna mounted relative to the ground plane. The flat array antenna has multiple spaced dipoles formed on the substrate to constitute the array, and a transmission line formed on the substrate connecting the spaced dipoles. The transmission line is for connection with a link to a terminal with which communication is to be affected by signals through the antenna. A mobile antenna has beam steering lenses for forcing the signal.

Abstract: An analyzer for performing high and low voltage tests on an electric induction machine having electric power input terminals.

Abstract: A method for deoxygenating water is provided comprising the steps of (1) adding an oxygen scavenger such as hydrazine, carbohydrazide, diethylhydroxylamine or morpholine to water containing oxygen, contacting the water and the oxygen scavenger with hydroxide, carbonate or carbonate/bicarbonate form strong base anion resin wherein the water within the bed has a pH greater than about 7; and (2) contacting the water containing the oxygen scavenger with the strong base anion resin for at least about one minute and removing from the bed water containing less than about 100 ppb oxygen. The method is especially useful in deoxygenating boiler feedwater and makeup water at substantially ambient temperatures during boiler start-up procedures.

Abstract: A communication system uses controllers for bi-directional protocol conversion. There is a plurality of remote signal inputs comprised of supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) signals, and/or remote terminal unit (RTU) signals, and/or instrumentation monitoring signals, and/or instrumentation control signals having different protocols. The signals are either in synchronous and asynchronous data formats and include voice inputs. Multiplexing such signal inputs into a composite signal is effected for transmission over electronic and physical communication media using X.25 or higher protocol, at an aggregate transmission data rate of 9.6 Kbps or faster. One or more controller can be configured as the master of remote units. Such units can perform remote signal input emulation; master/remote apparatus emulation, permits user-defined signal port control access; and provides operational diagnostics of the units and their associated communication link.

Abstract: A sealed roller assembly (10) for hingeably connecting pairs of link plates (34) to form a chain (11), comprises a roller (12), a bushing (14) rotably mounted inside the roller (12), and a pin (16) rotably mounted inside the bushing (14). One pair of link plates (34) are mounted to the bushing (14), and another pair of link plates (34) are mounted to the pin (16). Seals are positioned between the adjoining surfaces of the roller (12) and the bushing (14) and the adjoining surfaces of the bushing (14) and the pin (16) to prevent contamination of the adjoining surfaces. Additionally, the roller assembly (10) can utilize a reservoir (28) containing a pressurized, fluid lubricant and a pressure accumulator (30) to continuously supply lubricant to the adjoining surfaces of the roller assembly (10).

Abstract: Controlling a customer voltage and VAR flow in a power transmission and distribution system includes measuring first voltages in a power line directed to a first location related to customers. Both the customer voltage and the VAR flow for the network is determined in relation to the number of capacitors associated with the first location which are switched in or out of the network. The measured voltages are communicated to a voltage control. Voltage deviations of the measured first voltage are determined relative to a predetermined voltage range intended to be present at the first locations. Switching the capacitor means into or out of the network is determined by the voltage control in accordance with a voltage rise table. A VAR flow controller is responsive to the voltage at the first locations, the effect of the VAR generation by the capacitors and the change of VAR generation by the capacitor. A decrease in voltage at the customers saves energy use.

Abstract: A system for disposing of refuse-derived fuel ("RDF") and converting the refuse-derived fuel into a fuel gas is described. The system includes a positive pressure combustion chamber and a feed system for feeding the RDF into the combustion chamber at high speed. No compaction of the low density RDF is required. The feed system includes a feed conveyor, first and second air locks with a first conduit between the feed conveyor and the first air lock, and a second conduit between the first and second air locks. Both conduits are generally vertically oriented, but sloped at an angle that prevents bridging of the RDF.

Abstract: A satellite communication system between a hub terminal and remote terminals simultaneously uses two or more satellites for communication. Rapid signal acquisition for mobile terminals is achieved by incorporation of a Global Positioning System receiver to establish initial frequency and time references. High resolution time distribution is provided by use of spread spectrum coded signals. A combined Time Division Multiple Access/Code Multiplex architecture receives simultaneous signals of widely varying signal strengths. Rapid and numerous changes to the polling sequence is possible. The hub terminal incorporates two high directivity antennas each illuminating a separate geostationary satellite transponder with a spread spectrum coded signal, each orthogonal to the other. The remote terminals employ an antenna of sufficiently small aperture to enable simultaneous reception of both orthogonal transponder signals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a ground fault detection apparatus for an operating, normally ungrounded supply system, the apparatus having a periodically grounded center tap of a test impedance that is connected across conductors of the system, and detector circuitry including a charge balance circuit having low gain and wide dynamic range that measures the amplified voltage output of a Hall effect current sensor. A preferred implementation of the circuit has a charge transfer variable oscillator. A pair of microprocessor-controlled counters that are responsive to the oscillator precisely measure the average frequency of the oscillator over intervals that are automatically maintained at approximately one second in duration, the microprocessor calculating the fault current as the difference between current measurements taken with and without the center tap grounded.

Abstract: A container for body fluid specimens includes temperature sensing means and means to read the temperature of a fluid specimen in the container. On the outside face of the container there is a first strip to cover the temperature reading means and over the strip is a label. Removal of the strip defaces or at least partly destroys the label which can indicate tampering with the container.

Abstract: An element is sampled from a defined group so that targeting can be effected within a range between a range greater than a first desired frequency and not more than a second desired frequency. Two data bases are established. The second data base contains elements not selected from the first data base. The element set for targeting is defined between element sets from the first data base and the second data base, thereby creating a composite random sampling of the elements. Testing can be effected on the target elements.

Abstract: A component is provided with a relative undersize in an area to be subjected to increased stress, for instance, through temperature. The component is made of a hardenable steel. The undersize is overlaid with a non-hardenable steel thereby to provide the full size. A second layer on top of the first layer can be provided. When the second layer is metallurgically bonded in a manner that generates heat, it does not cause a heat affected zone in the base hardenable steel. Blades for steam turbines benefit from this procedure.