Abstract: Automation of the extraction and the consolidation of maintenance data and relates to a method and a system for automatic integration of data among a plurality of maintenance data, the plurality of maintenance data being diffused through a set of maintenance documentary elements comprising a set of directed links, the system including a processor configured for extracting a subset of pertinent links according to predetermined extraction rules and for integrating into a resultant element pertinent maintenance data sourced from a subset of pertinent maintenance documentary elements associated with the subset of pertinent links.

Abstract: A nanoparticle aerosol generator, comprised of a vibrating fluidized bed with a baffle, a vibrating Venturi disperser and a cyclone separator. To generate nanoparticle aerosols, the nanoparticle aerosol generator uses the multiple impaction, vibrating air flow and vibrating high speed air flow to break up larger agglomerates, and multiple dilution to minimize the re-agglomeration of the particles.

Abstract: A rock dust blower and method draws rock dust from a portable supply of rock dust, in response to a flow of pressurized air, and entrains the drawn rock dust in a stream of the air for direction to selected surfaces of a coal mine. The supply is contained in a substantially vertical column and rock dust is drawn from the column along a peripheral edge of the column located adjacent the lower end of the column to thereby militate against cavitation of the rock dust adjacent the center of the column as rock dust is drawn from the supply. A vibrator mechanism can be employed to transmit vibration to the supply and thereby facilitate an even distribution of rock dust in the supply and a smooth and continuous flow of rock dust as rock dust is drawn from the supply.

Abstract: A computer-assisted method of facilitating the marketing, redemption, and reimbursement of prepaid vehicle services in a vehicle service network. A network administrator screens vehicle service stations, and accepted participant service stations pay fees, which may be used to advertise the network to consumers. The network administrator enrolls consumers in the network as members, and receives prepaid vehicle service fees from the members to credit member accounts in exchange for vehicle services to be rendered by the participant service stations. The administrator issues voucher data to the members and associates the voucher data with member accounts. Members redeem the voucher data at participant service stations, wherein the voucher data is used to verify membership, authorize vehicle services at the participant service stations, and debit the member accounts.

Abstract: A process for mixing a liquid or mixture of a liquid and a fine solid present in a vessel, in which the vessel is supplied with the same liquid or the same mixture as a motive jet of a jet nozzle which is present in the vessel and has a motive jet and a momentum exchange chamber, the suction region between motive nozzle and momentum exchange chamber being provided with a sheath which has a suction orifice below the central jet leading from the motive nozzle into the momentum exchange chamber.

Abstract: An aromatic nebulizing diffuser includes a base panel (10), a power adapter (20), an electric fan (30), a shell (40), a fluid container (50), an oscillator (60) and a top over (70). The oscillator (60) oscillates an aromatic fluid in the fluid container (50) to produce a fine mist. The fluid container (50) has an air conduit (53) that reduces in direction from its bottom air inlet (531) toward its top air outlet (532) for causing acceleration of the speed of the induced flow of air to carrying the fine mist of aromatic fluid droplets out of jet holes (71) on the top cover (70). The fluid container (50) is detachably fastened to the base panel (10) by means of plugging bottom mounting rods (512) of the fluid container (50) into respective tubular upright posts (12) of the base panel (10), facilitating cleaning.

Abstract: An aromatic nebulizing diffuser includes a base panel (10), a power adapter (20), an electric fan (30), a shell (40), a fluid container (50), an oscillator (60) and a top over (70). The oscillator (60) oscillates an aromatic fluid in the fluid container (50) to produce a fine mist. The fluid container (50) has an air conduit (53) that reduces in direction from its bottom air inlet (531) toward its top air outlet (532) for causing acceleration of the speed of the induced flow of air to carrying the fine mist of aromatic fluid droplets out of jet holes (71) on the top cover (70). The fluid container (50) is detachably fastened to the base panel (10) by means of plugging bottom mounting rods (512) of the fluid container (50) into respective tubular upright posts (12) of the base panel (10), facilitating cleaning.

Abstract: An airless spray pump system and method for spraying a binder solution having suspended particles which are non-abrasive for coating a product therewith is described. A reservoir contains a supply of the binder solution and is continuously mixed to maintain the solution in a homogeneous state. An inlet check valve is connected to the reservoir and the check valve has an outlet port which is connected to a pump. The check valve is operated by an upstroke of a piston of the pump to draw a volume of a solution through the check valve and into the pump while the pump supplies, under high pressure, a solution in a transfer chamber thereof to a pressure control unit of a spray apparatus. When the piston of the pump is in a return stroke, it forces the check valve to close under pressure and simultaneously operates a transfer check valve of the pump to open to transfer solution into the transfer chamber and forces a portion of the solution to the pressure control unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides film forming method and a droplet discharge method for removing bubbles in a pressurizing chamber to prevent defective discharge without disposing a large amount of materials in a droplet discharging device. Before a material is discharged in the droplet discharging device, a step is provided in which reduced pressure is kept in a pressurizing chamber and a material supply portion, which are connected, to remove bubbles that exist in the pressurizing chamber. A flow path connected to the outside such as an opening of a nozzle surface of the pressurizing chamber or a material supply port of the material supply portion is sealed, and pressure in the pressurizing chamber and the material supply portion is reduced from an inlet and outlet connected to the material supply portion with the use of a reduced pressure means such as a pump.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a medium includes at least a first container to hold the medium, a pressurizing device, such as a pump, in fluid connection with the container for pressurizing the medium, and an agitation mechanism or device to maintain the components of the medium in a mixed state. The container and the pressurizing device can be separate units, as in the case of an bag or bottle in fluid connection with a peristaltic or other type of pump. The container and the pump can also be combined in a single unit, as in the case of a syringe, wherein the syringe barrel of the syringe acts to contain the medium and the syringe plunger pressurizes the medium within the syringe barrel. A method of injecting a multi-component medium includes the step of agitating the medium (for example, as described above) before or during an injection procedure to maintain the components of the medium in a mixed state.

Abstract: A system to track vehicle maintenance by removing service coupon data stored on a smart card. Identification and contract data are entered into a centralized database when a new vehicle is sold. A smart card is personalized and sent out when the database shows that a new vehicle owner has been added. The smart card is inserted into a remote terminal when the vehicle owner brings a vehicle in for service. The vehicle's current odometer reading and type of service is entered into a vehicle maintenance program. The appropriate service coupon is removed from the smart card and the current odometer reading and type of service for the vehicle is stored in the remote terminal. The remote terminal downloads the data back to the database the appropriate time. After data has been collected the system administrator can run reports and manipulate data for analysis and customer to dealer reimbursement purposes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing foaming substances, especially foaming cement substances, consisting essentially of a starting product, especially cement paste, and a foaming agent. The inventive substances are produced in a mixing reactor which is connected to a supply container for the starting product by a feed pump. A product flow taken from the mixing reactor is conveyed to the supply container in a circuit, the foaming agent and atmospheric air being added and the supply container being kept at a minimum level. After a mixing phase, a sub-flow is taken from the product flow for processing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a vibratory powder feeding and metering apparatus that achieves the above-mentioned requirements. Generally, the apparatus of the present invention includes a housing defining a powder reservoir, a powder storage hopper having an outlet disposed to deliver powdered resin to the reservoir, a powder distribution block having one or more generally vertical fill tubes, a plurality of discharge ports extending from the reservoir to the fill tubes in the distribution block, and a vibration device to which the housing is mounted. Typically, the fill tubes are in communication with individual spray nozzles for transmission of the powdered resin. The housing also carries an adjustable barrier which serves as a dam to control or meter the flow of powdered resin into the discharge ports.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for pumping high viscosity mixtures, for example silicone-aggregate mixtures, including a pump and a hose, wherein the hose is impermeable, nonadherent with the mixture, and resistant to swelling, and the pump and the hose are sealable. In preferred embodiments, the apparatus and method can include a metering mechanism for dispensing the mixture to the pump, an agitator for mixing the mixture before it enters the pump, and a spray nozzle for applying the mixture exiting the hose. Even more preferred embodiments can include a metering mechanism in the form of a variable speed auger screw, a hose internally lined with a coating of polytetrafluoroethylene, a hose structurally reinforced, and a pump and hose that are individually sealable.

Abstract: A new tuck pointing apparatus for applying cement to joints between bricks. The inventive device includes a cement reservoir for receiving a quantity of cement. The reservoir has an interior, a closed top end, and an open bottom end that forms a bottom opening into the interior of the reservoir. A mixer portion has open upper and lower ends, an interior, a toothed flywheel that is disposed in the interior of the mixer portion, and a mixing shaft that is coupled to the toothed flywheel. The open upper end of the mixer portion is releasably coupled to the bottom end of the reservoir. The mixing shaft mixes cement in the interior of the mixer portion. A motor portion rotates the toothed flywheel thereby rotating the mixing shaft. A first air tube is in communication with a supply of air pressure and is also in communication with the interior of the mixer portion.

Abstract: A hand-held spray gun assembly (10) for spraying paints and other suspensions has a container (12) with a cover (14) sealingly covering the container (12). A motor (70) is attached to the cover (14) and has a piston rod (48) that reciprocates inside a piston assembly (68). A metal bellows (56) has a first end (62) coupled to the piston assembly (68) to form a seal. A shaft assembly (40) has a first end (46) extending through the metal bellows (56) and attached to the piston rod (68). The shaft assembly (40) has a circular flange (52) coupled to a second end (58) of the metal bellows (56) to form a second seal. A second end (39) of the shaft assembly (40) is attached to the paddle (38).

Abstract: This invention is directed to a bio-carrier which is non-toxic to most biological agents, will suspend various agents for increased uniformity of delivery, has adjustable adhesive properties which simulates nature, has variability in its adhesives and suspension qualities, it decreases control agent mortality, and it enhances overall effectiveness by allowing more live control agent to reach the target. It does so by depositing, adhering and maintaining the control agent in the active use zone of the target crop.

Abstract: A pressurized feeder vessel feeds powdered material into a stream of propellant gas. The feeder vessel includes a funnel-shaped hopper that is resiliently suspended by an elastic member inside the vessel. A vibrator such as an electric motor with an eccentric weight on its shaft vibrates the bottom end of the hopper. The vibration forces of the vibrator are preferably transferred to the hopper via a flexible diaphragm. The hopper is thus subjected to primary vibration forces and torques from below, and secondary, reaction vibration forces and torques from above. This induces the powder in the hopper to fluidize thoroughly and to circulate. In particular, it circulates over and past an inlet orifice, through which powder exits the hopper and enters the propellant stream. Powder circulation thus also prevents clogging of the inlet orifice and leads to more even flow rates. The invention is particularly well suited for delivering abrasive powder to a hand-held dental tool for abrasive treatment of teeth.

Abstract: A flame spray system and a method for applying uniform coatings of powdered plastics to surfaces which utilizes a pressurized carrier gas stream to transport plastic powder to a spray gun. The spray gun passes the powder through a flame produced at the end of the spray gun, melting the powder into droplets. When the molten plastic droplets strike the application surface, they adhere and combine to form a solid coat of plastic upon cooling.

Abstract: Process for manufacturing walls from earth and sand mortars includes making a mortar mixture containing a dry aggregate mass of between 15 and 50% by mass of earth and between 85% to 50% by mass of sand, bonding materials in a mass of at most 10% of the dry aggregate mass, and water in a mass of at most 22% of the total dry mass of earth, sand and bonding materials, stirring the mixture continuously and transferring while stirring the mixture by force into an inlet of a pump, and pumping the mixture from the pump and projecting the mixture within a framework against a vertical projection support and allowing the mixture to set.

Abstract: An applicator (2) and method for distributing a formulation of predator mites and a carrier. The applicator consists of a container (4) having an opening (14) formed at one or both ends (8) thereof. A hollow neck (10) extends from the opening, away from the container. A dispensing port (16) is formed in the neck (10), is concentrically aligned with the opening. A baffle system (6) regulates the flow of the carrier and predator mite mixture as the applicator is rotated during dispensing of the mixture. The baffle system includes a first internal baffle (18) positioned at the end (8) of the container adjacent the opening. A second, exit baffle (20) is positioned within the neck adjacent the dispensing port. In application, the container is rotated about its longitudinal axis (28). Agitation paddles (12) are affixed to the inner surface (22) of the container for agitating the mixture to maintain a uniform consistency.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing system for selectively dispensing a plurality of different liquids includes a separate reservoir for each of the fluids, and a separate nozzle for dispensing each of the fluids. A separate hydraulic dispensing system having a cylinder containing a piston is connected to each reservoir and nozzle for removing fluid from each reservoir and feed the liquid to the respective nozzle. A single hydraulic operation system including a cylinder containing a piston is connected to each dispensing cylinder to selectevely operate the piston in each dispensing cylinder. The piston in the operating cylinder is operated by an electric motor having a threaded shaft, a nut on the threaded shaft and a drive arm of the nut. The drive arm is connected to the piston in the operating cylinder to move the piston a selected distance and thereby dispense a selected amount of liquid from a selected nozzle. Alternatively, the drive arm on the nut can be connected directly to the piston in the dispensing system.

Abstract: An erosive fluid jet tool for underwater operation, comprising an erosive fluid jet nozzle connected to a fluid receiver receiving fluid under elevated pressure for providing hydraulic power to the tool, the nozzle providing the working output jet of the tool; and a counterthruster for providing a counterthrusting force for balancing the thrust on the tool produced by the erosive fluid jet, the counterthruster including (a) a counterthrusting fluid jet nozzle connected to the fluid receiver and facing oppositely to the erosive nozzle for providing a counterthrusting jet, and (b) an open ended shroud coaxially surrounding the counterthrusting nozzle, whereby water surrounding the submerged tool is entrained through the shroud for providing additional counterthrusting force during operation of the counterthrusting nozzle, the erosive fluid jet nozzle and the counterthruster being constructed so that in excess of 50% of the hydraulic power provided to the tool is provided to the erosive fluid jet nozzle.

Abstract: In a type of manure spreader including an auger rotatably mounted in a tank and an expeller disposed adjacent an opening in the tank to discharge manure from the tank, a material breakup device is pivotally mounted on a sidewall of the tank. The material breakup device is movable toward the auger to break up manure that is bridged above the auger. In operation, the material breakup device moves between an upper position where it is adjacent a sidewall of the tank and a lower position where it is adjacent the auger.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved, self-contained and portable machine adapted to efficiently spray viscous sealing fluids, which may contain suspended solid matter, onto an unprotected surface. For example, especially suitable for spraying coal tar pitch emulsions containing sand onto asphalt surfaces. Said machine comprising a mobile frame supporting a reservoir tank, having a mechanical agitation therein, and a fluid spraying means coupled by an improved fluid pumping assembly which includes a plurality of selectively controlled valves and attached conduits which direct the fluid through a pump and filter to and from the tank and spray means as desired.