Abstract: Disclosed are improved compositions, systems, methods and techniques for processing and preparing cement, cement constituents and concrete formulations involving natural pozzolans. In various embodiments, the water demand, compressive strength, set times and workability in concrete incorporating certain natural pozzolans can be improved by blending with calcium carbonate powders, while further improvements can be accomplished if the calcium carbonate is inter-ground with the natural pozzolan to a desired and/or minimum fineness. This addition of calcium carbonate, fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag, ground glass and various acids to a natural pozzolan can desirably reduce water requirements and improve the physical performance characteristics of the natural pozzolan and the overall characteristics of the concrete.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved compositions, systems, methods and techniques for processing and preparing cement, cement constituents and concrete formulations involving natural pozzolans. In various embodiments, the water demand, compressive strength, set times and workability in concrete incorporating certain natural pozzolans can be improved by blending with calcium carbonate powders, while further improvements can be accomplished if the calcium carbonate is inter-ground with the natural pozzolan to a desired and/or minimum fineness. This addition of calcium carbonate, fly ash, ground granulated blast furnace slag, ground glass and various acids to a natural pozzolan can desirably reduce water requirements and improve the physical performance characteristics of the natural pozzolan and the overall characteristics of the concrete.

Abstract: A connector assembly for connecting an ultrasonic transducer to a transducer fixture of an ultrasonic inspection system. The assembly includes a male connector element including a protrusion having a circular cross section and a mount for connecting the male element to at least one of the transducer and the transducer fixture. The assembly also includes a female connector element including a recess sized and shaped for rotatably receiving the male element protrusion to releasably connect the male connector element to the female connector element and a mount for connecting the female element to at least one of the transducer and the transducer fixture. In addition, the assembly includes a fastener mounted on at least one of the male and female connector elements for releasably fastening the male connector element to the female connector element to retain the male element protrusion in the female element recess and to prevent the male element from rotating with respect to the female element.

Abstract: An apparatus including a bowling lane, pins positioned on one end of the bowling lane, a bowling ball adapted to be launched down the bowling lane toward the bowling balls, and a spin detector for determining a spin rate of the bowling ball as the bowling ball travels down the bowling lane. An angle detector detects the angle of the spin axis of the bowling ball. The apparatus also measures and displays information relating to ball velocity, ball position, coefficient of friction, launch angle, and entry angle.

Abstract: A portable auxiliary desk top article is constructed for temporary positioning onto a work surface arm of a student desk to enlarge the desk's work surface area. The article comprises a first substantially rigid flat surface member and a second substantially rigid flat surface member hingeably attached together. A pocket structure is attached to an underside of one of the flat surface members. The pocket structure is open-sided on two sides and is intended to fit over the work surface arm of the student desk to hold the article in place. When folded out, the flat surface members present an enlarged work surface area for the student, significantly larger than that provided by the work surface arm of the desk.