Abstract: A wood substitute turning blank and method of making the same is described. The turning blank includes a body having an outer shell of relatively low tensile strength material positioned about a rotational axis of the body. An inner core of relatively high tensile strength material is positioned along the rotational axis of the body. The high tensile strength of the inner core allows this turning blank to be turned at high speed on a lathe or the like. The high tensile strength of the core enhances the overall tensile strength of the finished product.

Abstract: A self-orienting motion sensor in which an inner housing, preferably spherical, is free to rotate within a cavity, also preferably spherical, resting on a support in an outer housing. The inner housing has a preferred orientation due to the center of gravity being lower than the rotational center of the inner housing. Motion sensing elements are arranged within the inner housing to measure at least one and preferably three directions of motion. A signal transfer mechanism transfers signals to a recorder. The motion of the inner housing may be limited in a pre-determined range, the inner housing may include a magnet to orient it in a defined relation to the earth's magnetic field and the housing may be provided with ground engaging devices to fix the housing in the ground.

Abstract: A flare stack with smokeless burn and reduced steam consumption. The flare stack includes a central pipe having a flare tip. The flare tip has a top edge. An outer pipe surrounds the central pipe and forms an annulus between them. A spreader spreads gas from the central pipe into the annulus. Steam and air, with oxygen, are forced into the base of the annulus and past the spreader to mingle with the gas and create smokeless burning. Steam and air are supplied by at least one conical conduit leading into the annulus, the conduit having an inlet for the flow of steam into it, a steam manifold having an outlet corresponding to each conduit, each outlet being directed towards a corresponding inlet in the conduit; and an opening between each outlet and inlet for the flow of air into each conduit drawn by a venturi effect.

Abstract: A method of making vapor deposited thin films by rotating a substrate in the presence of an obliquely incident vapor flux. The substrate may be rotated about an axis normal to the surface of the substrate and/or parallel to the surface of the substrate by two motors mounted with their axes orthogonal to each other. Angle of incidence, measured from the normal to the surface of the substrate, exceeds 80.degree.. Feedback from a deposition rate monitor allows control of rotation speed of both motors to produce a growth with a defined pattern.

Abstract: A borehole drilling system has a well tubing actuator with a well tubing connector on a working end of the well tubing actuator, a transducer responsive to longitudinal movement of the working end of the well tubing actuator and a control system for the well tubing actuator to provide controlled longitudinal movement of the well tubing connector using a selected drilling program and feedback from the transducer. Plural lengths of well tubing are connected to the well tubing connector, with a jet drilling apparatus connected to the downhole end of the well tubing. An underreamer apparatus may be attached to the bottom hole end of the well tubing. Coiled tubing may be attached to the bottom hole end of the well tubing and directed through a whipstock.

Abstract: A kinesiology testing apparatus which includes a base. A foot treadle is provided having a first end and a second end. The first end is pivotally attached to the base. A line is provided having a first end and a second end. The second end is secured adjacent to the second end of the foot treadle. Means is provided for securing the first end of the line to a person's arm. When a person has his arm extended out parallel to a floor, a downward force exerted by a foot of the person upon the foot treadle is transmits, via the line, a downward force upon the person's arm.

Abstract: A direct QAM modulator for generating a high power QAM modulated signal at microwave frequencies comprises a hybrid to create the required RF signals for I and Q paths. In each path, a rat-race coupler is used to get the in phase and out of phase RF signal. The subsequent circuit blocks in each path consist of a single pole double throw switch (SPDT) switched by the polarity of the incoming data, a reflection attenuator, implemented by using forward biased pin diode terminations and controlled by the absolute values of the baseband pulse amplitude modulation (PAM) signal, and a variable reflection phase shifter to adjust for the phase error. To realize modulated signal filtering and to compensate for the nonlinearities, a combined prefiltering and predistortion block is used to shape the baseband PAM signal in each path. Finally, a power combiner is used to combine signals from the two paths into one high power QAM modulated and filtered output signal at microwave frequency.

Abstract: A method for restoring traffic in a network. The network includes plural distinct nodes interconnected by plural distinct spans, each span having working links and spare links. Each node has a digital cross-connect switch for making and breaking connections between adjacent spans forming span pairs at a node. Step 1: For each of at least two possible span failures, (a) find the number of restoration routes available in case of the occurrence of each span failure, (b) determine the resources used by each restoration route, and (c) determine the amount of flow to be restored for each span failure. Step 2: find, in a computer, the amount of flow f.sup.p to be restored along each restoration route that minimizes total unrestored flow for all possible span failures identified in step 1. Step 3: form connections at each digital cross-connect switch in the network along each restoration route before occurrence of one of the possible span failures identified in step 1 to permit the amount of flow f.sup.

Abstract: Delay-tolerant calls access slack capacity in a telecommunications network under variable pricing controlled by the network so as to permit the network to pick up or stimulate background traffic loads as and when desired to gain revenue from background idle capacity.

Abstract: A butterfly valve in which a valve body has a transverse shaft mounted in transverse bores in the valve body. A disc is mounted on the shaft for opening and closing the valve. A groove in the shaft receives a ring that is fastened within one transverse bore, for example by a cover plate that clamps the ring against a shoulder in the transverse bore. The ring may be machined to fit the groove loosely and thus play of the shaft in relation to the valve body is governed by the amount of play of the ring in the groove. Bearings on which the shaft is supported are provided with interior wiper seals, and a lock is provided for locking the shaft to the valve body in case of failure of the shaft, for example in case of failure of the shaft at the disc.

Abstract: A method for desulfurizing a light sour oil by contacting the hydrocarbon fluid with a mesoporous catalyst at temperatures in the range of 20.degree.-500.degree. C. in the absence of molecular hydrogen to promote carbon--carbon and carbon-sulfur bond formation and increase the boiling point of sulfur containing hydrocarbons. The mesoporous catalyst is selected from the group consisting of alumina-silicate, alumina and silica, and is impregnated with an oxide of a metal that forms coordinate bonds with hydrocarbons in the hydrocarbon fluid. Suitable metals are aluminium, scandium, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper and zinc. The hydrocarbon fluid may be contacted with the mesoporous catalyst in the presence of up to about 1 mole oxygen for each mole of sulfur in the sulfur containing hydrocarbons, or in the presence of an unsaturated hydrocarbon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a liquid level using a liquid level gauge having reed switches to determine the position of a magnetic float. Firstly, providing an elongate float having an axial bore defining a longitudinal axis. The float has a plurality of magnets axially spaced along the longitudinal axis to form magnetic layers. Secondly, providing a tube having a first end and a second end. A plurality of magnetically activated reed switches are equally axially spaced from the first end to the second end. The tube extends through the axial bore of the float. Thirdly, determining which of the plurality of magnetically activated reed switches have been activated by the axially spaced magnetic layers of the float and interpolating float position in relation to the activated reed switches.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for slowing back spin of a rod string of a progressing cavity pump powered by an electric motor when power is lost. Pulse direct current voltage into the windings of the electric motor powering the progressing cavity pump to magnetize a stator of the electric motor thereby reducing the rotational speed of a rotor of the electric motor and consequently the rotational speed of the back spinning rod string of the progressing cavity pump.

Abstract: A breather valve has a valve body having a fluid passageway terminating in a valve seat, and a pressure pallet having a size commensurate with the valve seat. The pressure pallet has a sealing side oriented to face the valve seat, and is mounted for limited motion towards and away from the valve seat. A flexible diaphragm is secured to the sealing side of the pressure pallet circumferentially outside the valve seat, preferably around an outer periphery of the valve seat. The flexible diaphragm is separated from the sealing side between the first and second circumferences to create an annular cushion over the valve seat. The flexible diaphragm is fluid impervious outside of the valve seat and fluid pervious inside the valve seat.

Abstract: A structural support column with telescopically adjustable head, includes a base, and an elongate support member extending substantially vertically from the base. The support member has a remote end opposed to the base with a cavity. A centralizing member covers the cavity at the remote end of the support member. The centralizing member has an aperture which is axially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the support member. A levelling screw is provides having a first end with a head and a second end. The second end of the levelling screw extends through the aperture in the centralizing member and is secured against removal by a levelling nut. The first end of the levelling screw is received in the rectangular cavity at the remote end of the support member. The head at the first end of the levelling screw is received in close fitting engagement in the cavity. A support bracket is positioned at the second end of the levelling screw.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in sorting granular materials which includes a bin having an outlet. A conveyor is disposed beneath the outlet of the bin. A pin is provided having a first end and a second end. The first end is affixed to the conveyor. The second end extends into the outlet of the bin. A motor is used to vibrate the conveyor. The pin vibrates in the outlet of the bin as the conveyor vibrates, thereby promoting a flow of granular material from the bin onto the conveyor in direct proportion to the rate of vibration of the conveyor.

Abstract: A fly trap includes a tubular body which is triangular in cross-section. One exterior face is coated with a sticky fly catching substance. A flap is secured to a peripheral edge of the sticky coated exterior face. In a stored position, the flap overlies the sticky coated exterior face. In a fly catching position, the flap is pivotally spaced from the sticky coated exterior face, thereby forming a "V" shaped trough. An interior surface of the flap is also coated with a sticky fly catching substance. An exterior surface of the flap has a sticky window adhesion strip.

Abstract: A child safety harness comprising a first seat belt having hooks for securing the seat belt to anchor points of an aircraft or land vehicle, and a second seat belt connected to the first seat belt for fastening around a child. The second seat belt may be fastened to the first seat belt using one or more straps, for example two straps at opposite sides of the child's seat belt. Adjustment slides may be used to alter the length of the adult seat belt and the straps interconnecting the seat belts. A method of securing a child in a vehicle includes fastening a first seat belt around an adult, the seat belt being secured to the vehicle; and fastening a second seat belt around the infant, the second seat belt being secured to the first seat belt.

Abstract: A truck deck with ground level loading/unloading position includes guide tracks supported by a support frame. Guide members consisting of pivotally connected sections are telescopically received in the guide tracks. A load platform is supported by and slidably movable in relation to the support frame. A first pair of chains pull the load platform and extend the guide members. When the guide members reach a fully extended position with the majority of the weight of the load platform past the pivot axis, they pivot and thereby guide the movement of the load platform in a downwardly direction onto a ground surface. A second pair of chains lift the load platform from the ground surface and move it along guide members until the guide members pivot to a substantially horizontal position. The second pair of chains then pull the load platform and the guide members back into a retracted position.