Abstract: A filter medium for use in particulate filtering applications is disclosed. The filter medium is formed from a substrate capable of retaining the desired physical structure of the filter medium under the conditions of the filtering application, including temperature. A polyimide based stiffening agent adapted for treating the substrate is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for partially cutting hock joints, and letting feet remain attached to the rest of carcass by skin and one or more tendons, exposing the hock joint by folding feet, and hanging the carcasses in the evisceration shackles by hock joints, the method unambiguously ensures that if a carcass is condemned by an Inspector, the feet belonging to that carcass are condemned as well. Furthermore, this invention solves the even more tractable problem of capturing folded feet, separating feet from the carcass while leaving the carcass still hanging in the shackles, transferring feet into an infeed paw cutter wheel, and cutting knuckle portion to produce chicken paws ready for further processing.

Abstract: The invention is an image analysis system and method for grading of meat, predicting quality of meat and/or predicting meat yield of an animal. One embodiment of the invention is particularly designed to capture an image of the 12th rib cross section of the ribeye and perform an image analysis of the ribeye for grading purposes. The image capturing camera portion of the system has a wedged shaped camera housing for ease of insertion into the ribbed incision. The image capturing portion of the system further comprises a camera with a flash for consistent lighting. The camera is positioned such that it views the ribeye cross section at an angle to accommodate the wedge shape of the camera housing for ease of insertion in the incision. The camera housing also has various alignment means to facilitate the user's ability to capture images in a consistent manner.

Abstract: Stranded natural gas is sometimes liquefied and sent to other countries that can use the gas in a transport ship. Conventional receiving terminals use large cryogenic storage tanks to hold the liquefied natural gas (LNG) after it has been offloaded from the ship. The present invention eliminates the need for the conventional cryogenic storage tanks and instead uses uncompensated salt caverns to store the product. The present invention can use a special heat exchanger, referred to as a Bishop Process heat exchanger, to warm the LNG prior to storage in the salt caverns or the invention can use conventional vaporizing systems some of which may be reinforced and strengthened to accommodate higher operating pressures. In one embodiment, the LNG is pumped to higher pressures and converted to dense phase natural gas prior to being transferred into the heat exchanger and the uncompensated salt caverns.

Abstract: A product inventory control system is provided that utilizes both fixed and movable racks. The present system may be utilized in a walk-in display cooler or other product storage application to help with inventory management and to provide easy access to stored product. The racks of the present system include shelf support members that are selectively positionable at a plurality of different orientations so as to achieve different product support surface orientations relative to a horizontal The shelf support members are adapted for storing a plurality of different types of products and product containers. Movable racks are positioned in front of fixed racks whereby movement of a movable rack provides access to a rack positioned therebehind.

Abstract: A diode (20), having first and second conductive layers (24,26), a conductive pad (28), and a distributed reverse surge guard (22), provides increased protection from reverse current surges. The surge guard (22) includes an outer loop (42) of P+-type surge guard material and an inner grid (44) of linear sections (46, 48) which form a plurality of inner loops extending inside the outer loop (42). The surge guard (22) distributes any reverse current over the area of the conductive pad (28) to provide increased protection from transient threats such as electrostatic discharge (ESD) and during electrical testing.

Abstract: A product module for supporting and merchandising product containers therefrom including at least one elongated product channel defined by a pair of laterally spaced upstanding side walls and a substantially planar product supporting floor portion extending therebetween, each product channel having at least one front member spaced above the floor portion and partially bridging the product channel side walls, the at least one front member including a first wall portion extending from one of the product channel side walls and a second wall portion extending from the other of the product channel side walls. The first and second front wall portions define a space therebetween and are sufficiently resilient so as to allow a lead product container positioned within a product channel to be pulled therethrough to facilitate removal of the lead product container from the product channel.

Abstract: An improved Schottky device, having a low resistivity layer of semiconductor material, a high resistivity layer of semiconductor material and a buried dopant region positioned in the high resistivity layer utilized to reduce reverse leakage current. The low resistivity layer can be an N+ material while the high resistivity layer can be an N− layer. The buried dopant region can be of P+ material, thus forming a PN junction with an associated charge depletion zone in the N− layer and an associated low reverse leakage current. The location of the P+ material allows for a full Schottky barrier between the N− material and a barrier metal to be maintained, thus the device experiences a low forward voltage drop.

Abstract: This invention relates to a portable apparatus for carrying out X-ray fluorescence spectrometry on specimen materials at a distance from the apparatus. The apparatus comprises an X-ray generating tube, such as a microfocus tube, and two paraboloidal X-ray reflecting mirrors. The first collecting mirror is positioned in close coupled arrangement adjacent to the exit window of the tube, such that it emits parallel X-ray radiation to the second focusing mirror, which is aligned on the axis of and spaced apart from the first mirror (11). The second mirror (12) collects the parallel X-ray radiation at its end closest to the first mirror and emits X-ray radiation in a focused beam onto the specimen. The distance between the first and second mirrors is adjusted to suit the distance from the X-ray tube to the specimen. Focal spots on the specimen of diameter less than 15 microns (590.55 microinches) are possible, enabling precise analysis of small areas of the specimen.

Abstract: A storage apparatus for the storage of a collection of data media in the form of compact discs, CD-ROMs or DVD discs or the like in their original cases, comprising a number of individual box-like holders which can be releasably attached to each other so that the system can be simply expanded to accommodate more compact discs, CD-ROMs or DVD discs in their original cases at any desired location within the storage system. Each holder comprises a base and first and second opposing vertical side walls which hold a CD case or other case between the side walls. Each holder is provided with first and second fastening means at first and second sides respectively of the holder, adapted to permit the releasable engagement of the first fastening means of one holder with the second fastening means of an adjacent holder. The fastening means may comprise interengaging projecting portions and apertures arranged between the projecting portions, or interengaging fit male and female members.

Abstract: A bi-directional seal assembly can be used in various types of cartridge valves including dirty fluid valves and a variety of other valves. The present seal assembly utilizes a seal spool, two O-rings and opposing seal cups. The O-rings are compressed during manufacture of the seal assembly and the valve more than typically recommended by O-ring manufacturers. Because of this compression, the O-rings serve a dual function. At lower pressures, the O-rings act as a spring causing the seal cups to contact the opposing seal plates and at higher pressures they act as seals between the seal assembly and the valve.

Abstract: A vehicle-straightening bench (20) is utilized to apply pulling forces to a damaged vehicle chassis to restore the damaged chassis to an original configuration. The bench includes a vehicle platform (22) with a carriage track (24) having a plurality of carriage assemblies (100) movably received by the carriage track (24). Each carriage assembly (100) supports a pulling assembly (200) for applying the pulling forces. A trapezoidal carriage body (102) of the carriage assembly (100) rolls in the carriage track (24), and the carriage assembly also includes a tower positioning mechanism (104) to hold the pulling assemblies (200) in place while the carriage body (102) is are rolled on the track (24). The carriage assembly (100) also includes a locking mechanism (106) to lock them in place during a vehicle a pull.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for use in handling a load includes a load-bearing rope, and a mechanism for paying out and recovering the rope. There is also a drum for holding a service cable with a length of the service cable extending from the drum. A wrapping device rotates the length of service cable around the rope as the rope is payed out to wrap the service cable around the rope, and to unwrap the service cable from the rope as the rope is recovered.

Abstract: An Optical Domain Signal Analyzer, having an optical filter, a dispersive element and a detector is utilized to provide high resolution spectrum analysis over a wide optical bandwidth. The optical domain signal analyzer broadly includes an optical filter for providing wavelength samples of a received optical signal, a dispersive element for receiving the samples and dispersing the samples, and a detector for receiving the dispersed signal and for providing electrical signals representative of the dispersed sample. A preferred embodiment includes a processor for receiving the electrical signal and calculating the characteristics of the spectrum.

Abstract: The efficacy of vitamins and other nutritional agents in treating and preventing various disease states is improved by administering therapeutically effective levels of these agents on a substantially continuous, 24-hour basis. The concentration of lipid peroxides formed by the autoxidation of lipids, and the concentration of oxygen free radicals, are reduced by continuously administering antioxidant agents. The regeneration of nerve tissue is improved by continuously administering at least one pharmaceutically-acceptable B complex vitamin.

Abstract: A coolant flow valve for controlling the distribution and flow of coolant to replace the radiator thermostat and heater valve currently used in automotive applications. The valve includes a valve rotor rotationally received in a valve housing wherein the rotational orientation thereof determines which combination of flow paths through four different outlet ports is selected.