Abstract: A culvert opening and cleaning apparatus which is designed to be operably mounted to an implement of heavy machinery such as a grader and is further designed to utilize the auxiliary hydraulic connection provided by the implement of heavy machinery. The culvert opening and cleaning apparatus comprises a mounting means operably engaged to an implement of heavy machinery, a telescoping arm member attached to the mounting means, the telescoping arm member having an outer housing and an inner concentric arm that are telescopically slidable relative to each other, a culvert cleaning tool engaged to the inner arm of the telescoping arm member, and a telescoping ram having at least one concentric cylinder and a piston that are telescopically slidable relative to each other, wherein a distal end of the piston is attached to the culvert cleaning tool for positing the culvert cleaning tool inserted in an opening of the culvert.

Abstract: Compositions and method for improving inhibition of calcium salt scale formation under the conditions found in chemical pulp processes in which an effective amount of selected phosphonates or phosphonate blends is admixed with the aqueous digester composition in a chemical pulping process during the digestion stage. The compositions and method are especially well suited for use in the Kraft pulping process.

Abstract: A floor cleaning machine with dust control apparatus can assist in capturing dust created as a by-product during normal operations. The dust control apparatus is particularly applicable to propane-powered burnishers that use rotating pads to remove built up wax from hard surface floors. A floating scoop is attached to a floating hoop assembly to direct dust away from the rotating pad. The scoop is located tangentially to the housing that surrounds the rotating pad. An inlet to the housing facilitates airflow through the housing to pick up dust, which exits through the scoop. A containment canister with removable filter is in communication with the scoop. The air and entrained particulate (dust) swirls around the filter in a circular flow path to help separate the particulate from the air. The filtered air exits the canister and returns to the atmosphere.

Abstract: A flexible molding component used with a base mold improves on existing methods of forming fiber reinforced composite parts. The molding component is formed of a flexible body structure having an interfacing surface and a perimeter region including a perimeter seal configured for sealing engagement with the base mold. Resin and vacuum distribution channels are formed in the interfacing surface to deliver resin to a fiber lay up disposed on the base mold and draw the resin across and through the lay up, respectively, to properly mix the resin/fiber combination which forms the desired part. Application of the vacuum causes the perimeter seal of the flexible body structure to sealingly engage with the base mold to enclose materials between the body structure and the mold, as well as causing the interfacing surface to draw against the resin/fiber combination and the mold to shape the combination into the desired part.

Abstract: Methanol is produced from bacterially oxidized waste methane by reaction with Pd+2, Cu+2, air, and molten phthalic anhydride in an entrained oxidizer generating half ester of methyl phthalate which is reaction distilled to produce methanol and recycle phthalic anhydride containing the Pd+2, Cu+2 phthalate catalyst.

Abstract: A chatter resistant shuttle valve is provided to direct fluid flow from at least two sources of pressurized fluid to a downstream apparatus. The shuttle valve includes a valve body with a shuttle valve member movably mounted inside. A dampening chamber is provided which dampen opening movement of the shuttle as it moved from a closed position on one side of the shuttle toward a closed position on the other end of the shuttle. One or more dampening chambers may be provided.

Abstract: When sample collection cylinders get full, they need to be switched out with empty sample collection cylinders. The connection between the sample cylinder and a piping system is often a quick-connect which typically has a high pressure rating when closed and a lower pressure rating when opened. The bleeder valve of the present invention, when installed in the piping system between the quick-connect and the sample cylinder can be used to reduce the pressure in the system and the quick-connect to rated pressures before the quick-connect is opened. In an alternative embodiment intended for service with hazardous materials, the bleeder valve and seals are formed from resistant materials and the vent is connected to a flare or other suitable point of disposal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spreading ballast along railways makes use of an inertial measurement system to determine where to apply ballast from a hopper car. A variety of techniques can be used to determine the location and speed of the ballast spreading train, including manual or automated visual techniques, laser technology, radar technology, radio frequency transponders, magnetic sensor, thermal imaging and aerial photogrammetry. The invention also contemplates “on the fly” surveys and terrain profiling using lasers or radar.

Abstract: A method of sealing a plug with a food sauce dispensing cartridge enables leak proof operation of the dispensing cartridge at the site of the plug. The plug, having a circumferential edge, is positioned within the dispensing cartridge and oriented such that the edge is adjacent to the cartridge sidewall. A layer of hot melt adhesive is then applied to the circumferential edge and flows into a gap created between the plug and the cartridge sidewall at a sideseam formed by an overlap region of the cartridge sidewall. The hot melt adhesive subsequently bonds the plug to the cartridge sidewall and prevents food sauce from moving past the circumferential edge of the plug and out of a containment region.

Abstract: A filter assembly configured for acoustic dampening for use with compressor assemblies such as oxygen concentrators including a compartmented housing member having an inlet opening, an outlet opening, a filter member, and a plurality of noise attenuating members positioned and located therewithin. The configuration of the compartmented housing member in conjunction with the positioning and location of the filter member and the noise attenuating members therewithin all contribute to absorb and dissipate any sound waves generated within the housing member due to air flow movement therethrough. This substantially reduces and minimizes noise associated with the present filter assembly.

Abstract: Various components of the present invention are collectively designated as Analysis of Variables Through Analog Representation (AVATAR). AVATAR offers an analog solution to those problems of the analysis of variables which are normally handled by digital means. The invention allows (a) the improved perception of the measurements through geometrical analogies, (b) effective solutions of the existing computational problems of the order statistic methods, and (c) extended applicability of these methods to analysis of variables. The invention employs transformation of discrete or continuous variables into normalized continuous scalar fields, that is, into objects with mathematical properties of density and/or cumulative distribution functions. In addition to dependence on the displacement coordinates (thresholds), these objects can also depend on other parameters, including spatial coordinates. Moreover, this transformation of the measured variables may be implemented with respect to any reference variable.

Abstract: A storage rack which hangs on the upper edge of a base cabinet door. A pair of hanger brackets fit closely on the door edge and are constructed to accommodate the plain edge of a flush mounted door or the stepped edge of a recessed cabinet door. Hooks on the inside parts of the brackets receive mounting fixtures used to attach storage devices such as baskets, trays, shelves, paper towel holders, food wrap dispensers, towel hooks or towel bars. Tabs on the outside parts of the hanger brackets allow a towel bar or other device to be mounted on the outside surface of the base cabinet door. Alternative embodiments provide a single bracket which can be applied to both flush and recessed doors and which accommodates different types of storage devices that may be hooked or otherwise connected to the brackets. The connections between the brackets and storage devices can be made in various ways, including hooks fitting through openings and threaded connections.

Abstract: A denture has a body with a plurality of concavities in a first surface of the body—the first surface, in use, abutting soft tissue of the mouth. A plurality of through holes extend from the first surface to an opposite, second, surface.

Abstract: A speaker system suppresses standing waves generated in the system and reproduces clear and dynamic bass sound. The system includes a cabinet formed of acoustic insulation walls, and at least one partition wall situated inside the cabinet to form a space by surrounding the space. The partition wall suppresses the standing waves generated inside the cabinet and is formed of a material having high internal loss. The space has a total capacity more than one tenth of a capacity of the cabinet, wherein a closed end of the partition wall is located between one-half and four-fifths of a distance from one end to the other end, and an opening area of the same partition wall is located at a side opposite to the closed end in a longitudinal direction of the cabinet. The opening area is located between four-fifths and five fifths of a distance from one end to the other end. The material has a density per volume greater than 0.1 g/cm3, a density per area from 0.01 g/cm2 to 0.