Abstract: A microwave apparatus and method for ullage measurement of agitated materials is provided. The apparatus and method utilize a transformation of the reflected time domain signal into a frequency domain signal. The frequency domain signal is averaged using the natural, inherent weighting associated with the transformation to achieve a unique corrected result. The average frequency domain signal is then used to calculate the average distance for determining the ullage measurement.

Abstract: An orifice installation for sealing a plate within a fitting is disclosed. The plate has a seal surrounding its outer circumference. The seal has a large base area of elastomeric material and an outer and inner periphery face. A central circumferential extension larger than the distance in the fitting for permitting entry of a plate carrying device is formed between the shoulders. Circumferential indentations formed in the base separate the shoulders from the extension.

Abstract: A current limited, voltage regulated, battery maintainer and charger apparatus includes a circuit for monitoring and maintaining a 12 volt storage battery, determining the presence of forward polarity and in response controlling the amount of charging current necessary to continuously maintain the battery in a ready state, without overcharging or causing other damage to said battery. The battery maintainer device selectively charges 12 volt lead acid, gel-cell or sealed lead acid batterys using current limitation and voltage regulation circuitry, to modulate an amount of current to maintain a voltage potential across the battery, whereby the current flow can drop to zero current flow, to maintain a constant and continuous storage battery voltage of 13.8 volts.

Abstract: A simple, brightly colored, plastic collar is disclosed for greatly enhancing the visibility of the golf hole for players, spectator and televised golf events. The collar has a diameter essentially the same as a regulation hole and is installed in the cup adjacent the exposed earth wall between the lip of the hole and the hole liner. Furthermore, use of the collar enhances a retention of moisture in the earth around the lip to prevent drying and crumbling of the soil which can cause an initially sharp lip to become rounded. The collar preferably has a thinner upper perimeter wall to insure that the reaction of an impinging golf ball against the cup wall having the collar installed is not substantially altered from the reaction of a ball impinging an earth surface of a cup not having the collar installed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a non-clogging slurry nozzle apparatus and method for avoiding blockages in slurry nozzles associated with the jetting of mixtures of soluble and/or insoluble abrasives and high pressure fluids. The apparatus involves the use of a pressure actuator which opens and closes gates of a valve, permitting a compressed gas to enter the nozzle and remove all abrasive material from a nozzle when jetting is interrupted, thus preventing the abrasive material to remain in the nozzle where it may adhere with residual moisture and form blockages. The present invention lessens the opportunity for abrasive material blockages in slurry nozzles and improves the efficiency of cleaning operations by reducing the need to interrupt blasting operations to remove abrasive blockages from the slurry nozzle.

Abstract: The interactive data entry system and method of the present invention automatically assists in the design, engineering and fabrication of a pipe line flow measurement system in accordance with the relevant standards, regulations and industry requirements. Given site-specific criteria for a meter tube, the present invention provides a user interface to assist with calculation of the optimal design criteria, selection the specific parts required to implement the optimal design and displays with a drawing the final design results and developing a bill of material therefore.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ascertaining and implementing the permeability effective for preventing and repairing scour or erosion in a control zone associated with a river or shoreline having a bank and a bed associated with a moving fluid. The method provides for preventing and repairing scour or erosion in a control zone associated with a river or shoreline having a bank and a bed associated with a moving fluid. Associated therewith, a variably permeable jetty system (Palisade.TM. system) is provided for preventing and repairing scour or erosion in a control zone associated with a river or shoreline having a bank and a bed associated with a moving fluid.

Abstract: A concentration measuring apparatus is provided having a fluid sensing means, an optic transmission means, a signal processing means, and an interface means. The fluid sensing means comprises a reflective sensing media in a self-contained cassette. The cassette is operationally associated with a sample chamber. The cassette advances the reflective sensing media by a motor which is driven by the signal processing means. The optic means comprises a fiber optic line which is partially associated with a lamp and partially associated with a photocell. Light having a wave length in a specified range originates from the lamp, passes through a portion of the fiber optic cable and is cast upon the reflective sensing media. The altnerate portion of the fiber optic cable receives the reflected light from the reflective sensing media for transfer to the photocell. A signal is generated by the photocell representative of the change of reflectivity of the light from the reflective sensing media.

Abstract: A rotating nozzle for a high pressure water blasting system comprising a rotating body mounted on a fixed shaft having a high pressure water passage therein and adapted to discharge a stream of high velocity water through a nozzle opening in said body that is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the rotating body to direct the discharge from the nozzle in a circular path when the body is rotated.

Abstract: A pulsating nozzle which includes a rotating head driven by reaction forces of high pressure water passing through outlets disposed at an angle to a plane normal to the axis about which the head rotates and through a plurality of spaced passages extending partially circumferentially with respect to such axis.

Abstract: A lamp supporting apparatus. The apparatus is designed for holding and positioning a lamp of the type which has a light source, an elongated handle depending therefrom and an electrical supply cord attached at a lower end of the handle. The supporting apparatus includes a base member and an upstanding support leg which has a lower end secured to the base member and an upper end which is extendable from the lower end for adjusting the height. A support arm has a first end pivotally attached at the upper end of the support leg, and a sleeve is secured to the second end of the arm. The sleeve has a longitudinal aperture on one side thereof for transverse passage of the electrical supply cord of the lamp therethrough. The sleeve has a diameter which is intermediate the diameter of the handle and the light source so that the handle of the lamp is receivable axially into the sleeve, and the lamp is supportable and positionable by the apparatus.

Abstract: The electrolytic resistivity leak detector comprises the method of electrical resistivity to measure the gradual intrusion of aggressive chemicals into the wall of a plastic or fiber reinforced plastic vessel. This device and method includes the use of electric sensors within the wall of the vessel. The sensors provide an electrical circuit as the chemicals permeate through the wall and make contact with the sensors. A microammeter is included as an instrument to monitor and register the degree of electrical resistivity caused by the chemical intrusion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing pulsation-induced errors in the secondary system of orifice meters or other differential pressure flow measuring devices. The apparatus of the present invention comprising means for reducing the distance between the flow meter and the differential pressure detector for reducing pulsation-induced errors as well as reducing errors caused by rectification and energy redistribution, and means for maintaining a constant cross section between the orifice meter or the like and the differential pressure detector for reducing the pulsation-induced errors and, particularly for reducing errors caused by rectification and energy redistribution.

Abstract: A high pressure fluid spray gun comprising an adjustable shoulder support with a rotatable head and a length adjustment mechanism. The high pressure gun also includes a reversible piston and seat operable by a manual trigger for directing the flow of high pressure fluid to discharge either through the gun barrel or to a dump chamber which is mounted on a swivel for convenient adjustment of the alignment of the dump hose. The high pressure inlet hose is connected to a "Y" fitting in the barrel to reduce the back thrust on the operator when the gun is being operated.

Abstract: A nozzle having a shaped bore formed with a plurality of highly polished and substantially flat surfaces joined together to form a non-circular bore with a non-circular opening for producing a non-circular, high velocity adhesive jet stream.

Abstract: A microwave process seal and method is provided for use, for example, in the detection of ullage level and flow in a vessel or conduit by detecting the presence of a solid or liquid material in proximity to a microwave detector. Particularly, a horn design is provided in conjunction with, the microwave process seal of the present invention which fits in the mouth of the horn. The microwave process seal is kept as thin as possible to meet pressure requirements. The surface of the seal is oriented at or near the Brewster angle. The Brewster angle is that angle for which there is total transmission across a dielectric boundary for energy that strikes the boundary with a linear polarization.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for measuring the percentages of oil and water present in an oil/water mixture. By measuring the energy absorption properties of the oil/water mixture, the percentages of oil and water present in the oil/water mixture can be determined regardless of whether the oil or the water is in the continuous phase and regardless of what the relative proportions of water and oil are. Measuring the energy absorption properties of the oil/water mixture yields a current output which can be plotted on one of two distinct, empirically or theoretically derived data curves. One of the data curves represents oil being in the continuous phase and the other data curve represents water being in the continuous phase. A comparator is used to determine whether the oil or the water is in the continuous phase to thereby select the proper data curve on which the energy adsorption is plotted.

Abstract: A system consisting of multiple independent units each of which includes two standard fire hydrant connections located on two riser pipes and an interconnecting underground pipe providing a means for drafting tide, lake or river water from a streetside conneciton. Any pumper/tanker truck can thus connect a suction hose to the streetside riser and draft water through a second suction hose with one end connected to the riser at a bulkheaded waterside location and the other end equipped with a strainer is lowered into the water source. Standard lengths of fire hose suffice at both water and streetside connections when the water is bulkheaded and water level variations are sufficiently small that the lift capability of the pump is not exceeded. Pumping many begin when connections are complete. Backflushing with fresh water carried on the pumper/tanker may be performed if the pump is not well sealed and pumping begins after backflushing is complete and flow direction is reversed.

Abstract: A device for removing and cleaning asbestos containing material from a surface is disclosd. The device has a housing which is moved in a path to clear a swath of asbestos-containing material from a surface. A plurality of knives are positioned on an open face of the housing to make a plurality of incisions in the asbestos-containing material layer as the housing is moved along the surface. A scraping blade trailing the knives scrapes the asbestos-containing material from between the incisions. A sheet of water from a pressurized source is sprayed onto the scraped surface at an oblique angle to wash residual asbestos-containing material from the surface. The liquid spray and asbestos-containing material is aspirated together by a vacuum source connected to the housing, and the mixture of liquid and asbestos-containing material is removed in a separating receptacle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for deriving digital signals from analog variations of different sensing elements in a transducer. Each sensing device controls the frequency of a variable frequency oscillator, which is energized when a reading is to be taken for that specific sensing device. The periodic signal is coupled to a first counter which counts a presettable total number of cycles so as to establish a variable time period proportioned to the value represented by the then existing state of the sensing device. Concurrently, a second counter is operated for a like time interval, but counts cycles from a fixed frequency clock source at a much higher frequency. The number of cycles counted by the second counter is proportional to the analog signal from the sensing device. This arrangement enables the analog signals from the sensing devices to be digitized in sequence with compact circuitry having low power drain.