Abstract: A downspout drain filter includes a housing and a filter media. The housing defines an internal cavity, an inlet to the internal cavity along a top of the housing, and an outlet from the internal cavity along a bottom of the housing. The filter media is disposed within the internal cavity. The filter media divides the internal cavity into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The filter media is configured to trap debris in the upper chamber from fluid flowing downward through the internal cavity. The filter media is permeable such that the fluid flows from the upper chamber to the lower chamber.

Abstract: A water drainage system includes an underground conduit, a pop-up drain emitter, and a turf cover. The underground conduit is configured to direct water away from an eavestrough that is secured to a building. The pop-up drain emitter is secured to an end of the conduit and has a lid. The lid is configured to transition from a retracted position to an advanced position to emit water from the underground conduit. The lid is disposed above ground in at least the advanced position. The turf cover is disposed above and adjacent to the ground and radially about an outer periphery of the pop-up drain emitter. The turf cover is configured to inhibit vegetative growth radially about the outer periphery of the pop-up drain emitter.

Abstract: A downspout drain filter includes a housing and a filter media. The housing defines an internal cavity, an inlet to the internal cavity along a top of the housing, and an outlet from the internal cavity along a bottom of the housing. The filter media is disposed within the internal cavity. The filter media divides the internal cavity into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The filter media is configured to trap debris in the upper chamber from fluid flowing downward through the internal cavity. The filter media is permeable such that the fluid flows from the upper chamber to the lower chamber.

Abstract: A water drainage system includes an underground conduit, a pop-up drain emitter, and a turf cover. The underground conduit is configured to direct water away from an eavestrough that is secured to a building. The pop-up drain emitter is secured to an end of the conduit and has a lid. The lid is configured to transition from a retracted position to an advanced position to emit water from the underground conduit. The lid is disposed above ground in at least the advanced position. The turf cover is disposed above and adjacent to the ground and radially about an outer periphery of the pop-up drain emitter. The turf cover is configured to inhibit vegetative growth radially about the outer periphery of the pop-up drain emitter.

Abstract: A pop-up emitter includes a conduit, a cover plate, a pop-up lid, and a clip. The conduit defines a flow channel configured to establish fluid communication with a drainage system. The cover plate protrudes radially outward from a top end of the conduit and about the flow channel. The cover plate defines a slot along a top surface of the cover plate. The pop-up lid has a horizontally extending pin protruding outward therefrom. The pin is disposed within the slot. The pop-up lid is configured to pivot about the pin to transition between a first position where the plate covers the flow channel along the top end and a second position where the flow channel is exposed such that water is emitted therefrom. The clip is disposed within the slot and engages the pin such that the clip retains the pin within the slot.

Abstract: A sump system includes a catch basin and a sump pump. The catch basin is configured to receive runoff water. The catch basin defines a vertical chamber extending downward. The catch basin also defines a horizontal chamber intersecting the vertical chamber to form an intersecting region. The horizontal chamber extends outwardly in first and second horizontal directions from the vertical chamber such that the horizontal chamber forms first and second regions on first and second horizontal sides the intersecting region, respectively. The vertical chamber extends downward in a vertical direction from the horizontal chamber such that the vertical chamber forms a third region on a bottom side of the intersecting region. The sump pump is at least partially disposed within the third region.

Abstract: A catch basin that configured to receive runoff water includes a first tube, a second tube, and a perforated cap. The first tube extends downward from an upper end to a lower end of the catch basin. The first tube has a first cross-sectional area that is defined along a first plane that extends horizontally though the first tube. The second tube extends horizontally outward from the lower end of the first tube at position that is below the upper end. The second tube is in fluid communication with the first tube and has a second cross-sectional area that is defined along a second plane that extends horizontally though the second tube, wherein the second cross-sectional area is greater than the first cross-sectional area. The perforated cap is secured to a horizontal end of the second tube.

Abstract: A sump system includes a catch basin and a sump pump. The catch basin is configured to receive runoff water. The catch basin has an upper end and a bottom surface. The catch basin defines a vertical chamber and a horizontal chamber. The vertical chamber extends downward in a vertical direction from the upper end to a first portion of the bottom surface. The horizontal chamber intersects the first chamber to form an intersecting region. The horizontal chamber is defined by an upper surface and a second portion the bottom surface. The horizontal chamber extends outwardly in a horizontal direction from an outer periphery of the first chamber and has a vertical dimension that extends upward from the bottom surface to the upper surface. The upper surface is positioned below the upper end. The sump pump is disposed within the catch basin.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in connection using a drill having a drilling element for forming a borehole in a face of a mine passage includes a drill guide for engaging the drilling element while permitting the drilling element to move toward the face for forming the borehole. The drill guide includes a keeper for keeping the drilling element in a desired position, which keeper is biased for pivoting movement upon the application of a manual force between an active position for capturing the drilling element and a retracted position for releasing the drilling element. A low profile drill guide is also disclosed, as is a guard for a drill guide, and also related methods.

Abstract: A pump collects waste fluid and debris from the drilling of a borehole in a mine and for disposing of the waste fluid in a controlled manner. The pump collects the waste fluid into the pump housing through a grate. The pump also includes a centrally located hole which allows a drilling shaft to pass through the body of the pump. The pump further includes a funnel-shaped collar for collecting waste fluid that is dispersed from the mine borehole. A drill head may be attached to the pump for powering the drilling shaft, and for powering an impeller within the pump.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in connection using a drill having a drilling element for forming a borehole in a face of a mine passage includes a drill guide for engaging the drilling element while permitting the drilling element to move toward the face for forming the borehole. The drill guide includes a keeper for keeping the drilling element in a desired position, which keeper is biased for pivoting movement upon the application of a manual force between an active position for capturing the drilling element and a retracted position for releasing the drilling element. A low profile drill guide is also disclosed, as is a guard for a drill guide, and also related methods.

Abstract: An apparatus for use by an operator in forming boreholes in an underground mine passage including ribs and a roof. The apparatus includes a base and first and second booms pivotally mounted to the base for swinging toward and away from the adjacent lib. A drill is mounted to the base independent of the first and second booms. An actuator including first and second independently movable rods may be used to move the drill relative to the boom.

Abstract: A plurality of data storage devices are arranged to form a multi-device array space, and a controller controls access to the array space. The controller is configured to index sets of operational performance data from the plurality of data storage devices into a unified data log. The controller further detects a failure trend of one or more data storage devices by analyzing at least one of a vertical block of data and a horizontal block of data in the unified data log. The vertical data block of data is associated with one of the data storage devices at a plurality of indices. The horizontal block of data is associated with a plurality of the data storage devices at an index.

Abstract: A humidity-activated switch comprising a humidity sensor and a microcontroller, wherein the switch may be automatically activated and/or deactivated in response to detected ambient humidity.

Abstract: A portable electric appliance includes a housing, an electrically operable element positioned within the housing, a transmitter adapted to transmit a beam of radiation, and a receiver responsive to the beam of radiation. The transmitter is positioned external to the housing, and the receiver is positioned to receive the beam of radiation. The electrically operable element is de-energized in response to the beam of radiation being blocked or interrupted. A method adapted to disable a portable electric appliance includes transmitting a beam of radiation from a transmitter on the portable electric appliance, receiving the beam of radiation by a receiver on the portable electric appliance, and de-energizing an electrically operable element associated with the portable electric appliance in response to the beam of radiation being blocked or interrupted.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method is provided comprising a software system resident in a memory space configured to execute a service request which results in a plurality of events carried out by the software system to complete the service request, and creates a plurality of entries associated with the events, wherein each entry defines an operational state of the software system.

Abstract: A portable heater incorporates a housing, heating element, outlet for heat generated by the heating element, and diagnostic testing capabilities that test for defective or abnormal conditions of various safety features and report their status. The features include an object sensing or cover detect function, which operates to disconnect the heater from the primary power source in the event an object is detected that may obstruct the heater outlet, a tilt sensor, which detects whether the heater has been tilted, a fuse, and a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) breaker. The diagnostic testing function preferably receives power directly from the primary source of power to enable the status of the tests to be displayed whenever the heater is plugged in. Light emitting diodes preferably provide backlighting to icons representing the various features to indicate their status to the user.

Abstract: A plurality of data storage devices are arranged to form a multi-device array space, and a controller controls access to the array space. The controller is configured to index sets of operational performance data from the plurality of data storage devices into a unified data log. The controller further detects a failure trend of one or more data storage devices by analyzing at least one of a vertical block of data and a horizontal block of data in the unified data log. The vertical data block of data is associated with one of the data storage devices at a plurality of indices. The horizontal block of data is associated with a plurality of the data storage devices at an index.

Abstract: An apparatus and corresponding method measure physical parameters using a plurality of low-cost sensors coupled in series is provided. These sensors can be thermal sensors for measuring the temperature of a heating pad. Different types of sensors to measure temperature, moisture, pressure, or state change of a switch may be employed. Such sensors may be distributed throughout a building to concurrently monitor multiple physical parameters at numerous locations. The sensors are easily manufactured, thus reducing sensor cost. Costs are further reduced by the use of two wires to connect the series of sensors. Moreover, the wires can be run easily through conduit or cable troughs.