Abstract: A stainless steel beam includes first and second substantially parallel plates, first and second substantially parallel webs extending between the first and second plates, and a plurality of laser-fused welds connecting the first and second plates with the first and second webs. A platform assembly includes a first steel beam having first and second substantially parallel plates with a first web extending therebetween and a first sidewall extending from a first edge of the first plate away from the second plate, and concrete overlying the first plate and abutting the first sidewall.

Abstract: A structural beam includes opposed first and second plates, first and second webs extending between the first and second plates and laser-fused welds connecting the first and second webs to the first and second plates. The first and second plates and first and second webs are stainless steel.

Abstract: A container has a top and bottom face with a plurality of rectilinear recesses formed in the top face. A plurality of rectilinear magnets are sized and shaped to fit snugly within the recesses with their upper faces. The magnets are essentially coextensive with the upper face of the container. A handle extends upwardly from the upper surface of the container. A pair of spaced parallel cleats extend downwardly from the lower surface of the container.

Abstract: A mechanism to retrofit modern motorcycles with a foot operated clutch or to be installed as original equipment is disclosed. The mechanism has an escapement mechanism, such as a pawl and ratchet, for holding the clutch in disengaged condition when a rider applies positive pressure on a foot pedal without requiring the rider to hold the foot pedal down with his or her left foot. This frees the rider to balance the motorcycle. The mechanism then allows the clutch to be readily reengaged when the rider desires to move the motorcycle by applying further positive pressure to the foot pedal.

Abstract: A computer-implemented expert support system for authoring invention disclosures and for evaluating the probable patentability and marketability of a disclosed invention. The system comprises at least a computer, an input device, an output device, and software program. The software program is developed whith an object-oriented design process and is implemented in an object-oriented computer language such as C++. The system facilitates communication of invention characteristics and enables output of invention disclosures in a plurality of formats, including that of a patent application.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for anaerobic biodegradation, bioremediation or bioprocessing of hydrocarbons dissolved in an aqueous matrix, such as wastewater, groundwater, or slurry. Dissolved alkanes (saturated hydrocarbons), alkenes (unsaturated hydrocarbons), aromatic hydrocarbons and/or halogenated hydrocarbons are metabolized or cometabolized. In one form, the invention involves introducing an aqueous stream comprising at least one dissolved aromatic hydrocarbon (such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene, m-xylene, p-xylene, phenol, o-cresol, m-cresol, or p-cresol) and a dissolved oxide of nitrogen [such as nitrate (NO3−), nitrite (NO2−), nitric oxide (NO) and nitrous oxide (N2O)] to a reactor, and operating said reactor under conditions that support denitrification of the aromatic hydrocarbon.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for anaerobic biodegradation, bioremediation or bioprocessing of hydrocarbons dissolved in an aqueous matrix, such as wastewater, groundwater, or slurry. Dissolved alkanes (saturated hydrocarbons), alkenes (unsaturated hydrocarbons), aromatic hydrocarbons and/or halogenated hydrocarbons are metabolized or cometabolized. In one form, the invention involves introducing an aqueous stream comprising at least one dissolved aromatic hydrocarbon (such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, o-xylene, m-xylene, p-xylene, phenol, o-cresol, m-cresol, or p-cresol) and a dissolved oxide of nitrogen ?such as nitrate (NO.sub.3.sup.-), nitrite (NO.sub.2.sup.-), nitric oxide (NO) and nitrous oxide (N.sub.2 O)!to a reactor, and operating said reactor under conditions that support denitrification of the aromatic hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bioremediation of mixed hazardous waste is discussed. The method and apparatus can be used for treatment of a liquid or slurry hazardous waste stream (e.g., industrial wastewater or sludge) or for treatment of contaminated groundwater. Removal of the following constituents is possible: (1) aromatic hydrocarbons, such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, xylenes, phenols and cresols, (2) halogenated (e.g., chlorinated) hydrocarbons, such as tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane and similar xenobiotics, (3) heavy metals, such as copper, lead, zinc, lead, mercury, cadmium, and chromium, (4) acids, such as sulfuric acid and nitric acid, and (5) salts, such as sulfates and nitrates. One embodiment of the invention involves the steps of denitrification (e.g., nitrate reduction), sulfate reduction, methanogenesis and aerobic respiration. Other embodiments delete the denitrification, sulfate-reduction or aerobic respiration steps.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for anaerobic oxidation of metal sulfides in ores and concentrates. Base-metal and precious-metal ores and concentrates often contain metal sulfides, such iron sulfides (e.g., pyrite, pyrhotite, arsenopyrite, etc.), copper sulfides (e.g., chalcopyrite, chalcocite, etc.), zinc sulfides (e.g., sphalerite, etc.) and/or lead sulfides (e.g., galena, etc.) and/or other metal sulfides), that must be oxidized in order to recover metal values (e.g., gold, silver, or platinum group elements) from the ores. In the present invention, these metal sulfides are oxidized in one reactor under anaerobic or anoxic conditions using oxidized metal ions, such as ferrous ions (Fe.sup.+3), as the oxidizing agent. Anaerobic oxidation of elemental sulfur that is produced by metal sulfide oxidation is biocatalyzed by sulfur-oxidizing bacteria, such as Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, Thiobacillus thiooxidans, or or Sulfolobus sp.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for anaerobic and aerobic respirometry. The apparatus and method provide for automatically collecting and analyzing the data required to calibrate mathematical models for bioprocesses that involve anaerobic respiration, aerobic respiration and dehalogenation. Dissolved electron-acceptor concentrations and/or product concentrations and/or headspace pressures are automatically monitored during the progress of a biotransformation occurring in a batch reactor to produce a data set. The data set is analyzed to derive intrinsic kinetic parameters and stoichiometric coefficients. The cultures biocatalyzing the oxidation-reduction reactions of interest may be aerobic, denitrifying (e.g., nitrate-reducing), sulfate reducing and/or methanogenic. The models thus developed may be used for design of wastewater treatment or bioremediation processes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extraction of precious metals from their ores and the product thereof. Oxidized ore comprising a precious metal is exposed to a leaching solution (lixiviant) comprising a relatively high concentration (fugacity) of dissolved hydrogen sulfide gas, a relatively high concentration (activity) of bisulfide ions, and a relatively low concentration (fugacity) of dissolved hydrogen gas. The hydrogen sulfide gas and bisulfide ions are preferably added to the solution by sulfate-reducing bacteria growing in a medium comprising dissolved sulfate ions and dissolved nitrate ions, but abiotic sources may also be used. Examples of such bacteria include mesophilic, fresh-water species such as Desulfobacterium catecholicum DSM 3882 and Desulfovibrio simplex DSM 4141; mesophilic, salt-water species such as Desulfovibrio salexigens DSM 2638; and thermophilic, fresh-water species such as Desulfomaculum kuznetsovii VKM B-1805. The complexed precious metal is recovered from the lixiviant.

Abstract: A distributed, unattended wastewater monitoring system that uses advances in low-energy signal processing and distributed microelectromechanical systems and that involves wireless interrogation of distributed, low-power, normally-off sensors. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of flowmeter stations and at least one rain gauge station are networked through a base station for storm water discharge of infiltration-inflow monitoring. Wireless transceivers are used to transmit radio signals into and out of a sewer manhole.

Abstract: Underground pipelines that carry wastewater, water, natural gas, and industrial fluids deteriorate with age. This invention is a process and apparatus for installing a thermoplastic liner in a dry pipeline to accomplish in situ rehabilitation. It involves extruding a tube of thermoplastic liner material within the interior of a dried and preheated pipeline in situ, said tube having an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of said pipeline. The tube is next expanded so that the outside diameter of said tube is substantially equal to the inside diameter of said pipeline. The expanded tube is then cooled and hardened in a liner configuration.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electronic media program recognition and choice are disclosed. The invention allows parental control of the individual television programs (e.g., series, episodes, or individual music videos) and radio programs that can be viewed or listened to by young children. The invention can be practiced without the need for or reliance on a Government or industry-wide program rating system or a "V-chip" approach. The invention automatically locks out (blocks) all programs that have not been determined by the parent to be suitable for child viewing. Suitable programs are unlocked and viewable whenever they are broadcast. Means are provided for implementing two strategies for discrimination among TV programs. Signal processing means and signal recognition software are relied upon in situations wherein program identification information is not encoded in the composite television signal. Two approaches to signal recognition are provided: video signal (e.g.

Abstract: A biohydrometallurgical apparatus and method for extracting precious metals, including gold and silver, from oxidized ore by means of leaching with a neutral bisulfide solution instead of cyanide, thiourea, thiosulfate, or other conventional lixiviants is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, a first process step of conventional bio-oxidation of ore particles is accomplished to free precious metals dispersed or occluded within the ore. A portion of the acidic, base-metal sulfate leach solution produced by bio-oxidation is introduced to an anaerobic reactor. In a heap leach embodiment of the process, the anaerobic reactor is a side-stream reactor. In an alternative slurry (e.g.,vat) leaching embodiment, the anaerobic process may occur on-line. A preferably non-toxic electron donor, such as acetate or methanol (which does not bind effectively to activated carbon), is added to the anaerobic reactor to enrich within it a mixed culture of sulfate-reducing bacteria.

Abstract: A portable flow measurement system comprising a primary flow metering element and a secondary flow metering element is disclosed that will find application in metering irrigation water use, urban and rural storm water runoff, infiltration/inflow and wastewater flow rates. The primary element comprises a constriction in a closed conduit that produces pressures in the liquid flowing through it that are related to the rate of flow of the liquid. The constriction is preferably configured to cause essentially simultaneous filling of the constriction and the conduit upstream from it upon increasing flow rate and/or filling of the constriction and/or the upstream pipe before the modular limit is reached. The secondary element comprises a system for transmitting and sensing the pressures produced by the primary element, computing flow rates using the sensed pressure as a basis and storing the pressure data and/or the flow rate data.

Abstract: This invention provides a method and apparatus for transmitting and sensing liquid pressure (head) and liquid level (depth) in flow metering, tide gauge and liquid salinity or slurry density measurement applications. The invention essentially eliminates the effect of pressure sensor temperature variations and the effect of long-term pressure sensor signal drift on pressure sensing accuracy by resetting the zero and gain of the pressure sensor prior to pressure measurement. A variety of sources of a known differential pressure may be used to reset the gain of the differential pressure sensor by simultaneously exposing both sides of the differential pressure sensor to the known differential pressure. In one embodiment of the invention, the head loss through exhaust port of a spring-biased comparitor is the known pressure differential used to reset the pressure sensor gain.

Abstract: A method of treating a liquid medium to remove from it matter present therein comprises adding to the liquid medium at least one of an at least partially undried sorbing agent (a), a freshly prepared sorbing agent (b) and an in-situ sorbing agent (c). Sorbing agent (a) comprises a hydrotalcite-like material resulting from the preparation thereof in a liquid reaction medium, which preparation allows retention, in the hydrotalcite-like material, of at least 10% of free liquid, based on the weight of the hydrotalcite-like material, including the free liquid, and (a).sub.1 which sorbing agent is present in an amount, on a dry weight basis, of the sorbing agent, by volume of the liquid medium to be treated, of .ltoreq.0.035% w/v, or (a).sub.2 the preparation of the hydrotalcite-like material is such as to provide a grain size of the hydrotalcite-like material of .ltoreq.130 .ANG., as measured in the <001> direction by x-ray diffraction on a subsequently dried material.

Abstract: The gravity flow of a liquid in an open pipe is metered during open channel flow, during surcharged flow, and during the transition between the two. A tubular venturi metering device is employed, and when during open channel flow, the liquid depth rises in the section of the pipe upstream from the device, the throat of the device fills with liquid substantially simultaneously with the upstream section of the pipe, so that during the transition, the device continues to provide a flow determination.

Abstract: A portable wastewater flow meter particularly adapted for temporary use at a single location in measuring the rate of liquid flow in a circular entrance conduit of a sewer manhole both under free flow and submerged, open channel conditions and under fill pipe, surcharged conditions, comprising an apparatus having a cylindrical external surface and an inner surface that constricts the flow through the apparatus in such a manner that a relationship exists between (1) the difference between the static pressure head of liquid flowing through the entrance of the apparatus and the static pressure head of liquid flowing through the constriction, and (2) the rate of liquid flow through the apparatus.